Infants were restored to their respective mothers, after they were swapped due to nursing error that had occurred a week ago.
On Jan 17, two women delivered surgical babies in the Ranchi Institute of Medical Science (RIMS). According to doctors, Savitri Devi gave birth to a daughter at 10.30 p.m. and Meena Devi gave birth to a son at 11.01 p.m. "Savitri delivered a baby just half an hour before I. When Savitri was shifted to my ward I heard the cry of a female baby. When I returned to my ward after the operation, Savitri had a male baby and I was given a female baby. I grew suspicious and alerted my husband," said Meena.Reacting to the issue, Savitri said, "I do not know whether I delivered a son or a daughter. The matron gave me a baby boy".
Meena's relatives cried foul when they suspected the babies had been switched. They lodged a complaint with the hospital management and at the Bariatu police station. Investigations revealed that the matron exchanged the babies.
Dr Shashibala Singh, in charge of the delivery department of RIMS, said, "It was the matron's fault that the children were exchanged. When the babies were handed to the mothers, nobody supervised it".
For seven days the mothers had breast-fed the babies, considering them as their own. One mother even got the first injection given to baby after delivery.
The matter was settled amicably between the two families Monday. Doctors, police, matron and other persons were present. Now both mothers are happy that they have got their babies back.
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