ALMORA: The health department in Almora district has come under scrutiny for an error that has left an infant battling for life. The newborn was allegedly administered an expired vaccine at Takula Health Centre.
Vimala Devi, the wife of Virendra Singh from Amkholi village, gave birth to a baby girl last Wednesday. The celebration, however, turned into a nightmare the next day, when the health workers at the center inoculated the baby with a vaccine that had expired a month ago.
On Friday, when the baby’s health deteriorated suddenly, the family rushed to the health centre. The newborn was urgently referred to Almora’s Base Hospital. On examination, doctors found her condition to be critical, leading to immediate admission to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Virendra Singh blamed the health system for the family’s ordeal, saying, “The vaccine administered to her had expired a month ago and has put her life at risk.”
CMO Dr R C Pant acknowledged the severity of the situation and said a probe is underway. Pant said that the vaccine in question was meant to protect the newborn against Hepatitis B. “The case is being thoroughly examined,” he said, adding that he had already contacted the newborn’s father. “Efforts are underway to ensure the infant receives the best possible treatment,” he added.
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