Baby-Swap Controversy Ends But Capital Hosp & Father Still Bitter About The Experience

Bhubaneswar: A day after the controversy over alleged baby swap episode at Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar ended with the DNA results confirming that Samita Gahana had given birth to a girl, the hospital authorities on Friday said that they are contemplating legal action against those trying to tarnish the image of the health facility by bringing such allegations.

“We had clarified from the beginning that no child was swapped in the hospital, where due procedure is followed to ensure that no such incident occur. A boy child was born in the hospital 30 minutes after birth of the girl child. So, there was no room for confusion. The father was convinced that it was a boy and refused to accept his daughter. Those who defame the hospital by bringing such allegations should be punished. We are contemplating legal action against such persons,” said Capital Hospital director Laxmidhar Sahoo.

Elaborating on the procedure, he said that the mother is promptly informed about the newborn’s gender soon after the birth. “The baby’s footprint is taken, and the staff also document all details about the infant, who is tagged considering the health condition,” he added.

Samita (26) delivered her first child at the premier state-run hospital on September 26 through C-section. About 20 minutes later, a nurse handed over baby to the father, Pranakrushna Biswal, who was waiting outside. Controversy started when he created a flutter by claiming that he had heard the nurse tell him it was a boy.

Speaking to media, Biswal said he will file a case against the hospital for wasting his time and causing him significant stress. “The staff had told thrice that my wife had given birth to a boy. They also suspended her for the mistake. I had to stay at the hospital for 12 days while waiting for the DNA report due to their fault,” said the plumbing contractor while denying allegations that he or his family was unhappy with the girl’s birth.