KOCHI: Even as aspersions are being cast on the functioning of operation theatres and the newborn care wing of the Ernakulam Government Medical College, it is now learnt that the doctor in charge of the wing, who was upset about the allegations that serious infections were being spread to newborns at the unit, sought a transfer from the section and was relieved.
The highly qualified neonatologist Dr Nayanaprabha asked the Principal to divest of her of the charge which the Principal was forced to grant as she said she did not want to continue there.
The Principal, Dr Praveen Lal, himself said that the doctor had been doing a commendable job and the rate of infection at the unit was very low, even when compared to the best hospitals in the country.
According to Dr Praveen Lal, a total of 429 newborns were admitted to the section between January 1 and October, 2014, and only four of them contracted infection.
“This is on par with even international standards. The EMC newborn wing is one of the best in the state also. We have successfully treated some of the infection cases also,” he said.
He said the child which was reported to be in a critical condition would in fact be discharged in a few days. He dismissed reports that the child was afflicted with MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) bacteria.
A four-member team from Thiruvananthapuram Medical College made a surprise inspection at the Ernakulam Government Medical College on Saturday, on instructions from the Director of Medical Education to ascertain facts regarding reported infections there.
The team comprised Dr Rasmi Rajeeve and Dr Anoop from the Microbiology Department and pediatricians Dr A Santhosh Kumar and Dr S Radhika from the SAT Medical College. They took swabs to test them. The team will submit its report to the DME.
