Woman seeks compensation after newborn dies at Ramanathapuram GH

A woman submitted a petition at the Collector’s Office on Monday, demanding government compensation after her newborn baby died at the Ramanathapuram Government Medical College Hospital.

Noorul Ashika, 24, a resident of Pasipattinam near Thondi, gave birth to a baby boy via C-section at the hospital on the October 16. Five days later, on the morning of the October 21, doctors informed the family that the infant had died.

Shocked and questioning how a seemingly healthy baby could die after five days, the parents and relatives confronted the hospital staff and complained to Medical College Dean.

During the grievance, Ms. Noorul Ashika, after submitting her petition, said, “I lost my first child at the same hospital, and now my second baby boy has died due to improper treatment. Having undergone two C-sections, I do not know if I can have children again. No one else should face this pain in this hospital, and the government must provide me with proper compensation.”

She stated that the hospital administration lacked the advanced screening equipment necessary to detect critical neonatal conditions. The mother emphasised that such specialised diagnostic instruments should be installed at the facility to prevent similar tragedies and better support mothers and newborns in the region.

However, the Directorate of Medical Education in a statement released on October 23, explained that the baby suffered from severe jaundice, anaemia, and shock.

Despite administering phototherapy, blood transfusions, ventilator support, and medications, the infant could not be saved.

The directorate also stated that all necessary equipment was available at the hospital, denying claims of a lack of medical infrastructure, and added that a detailed medical review is under way.