Baby Swapping Allegation Hits Capital Hospital In Bhubaneswar; Probe Launched

Bhubaneswar: Child swapping allegation rocked Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar, prompting the authorities to order a probe on Tuesday.

The complainant, identified as Pranakrushna Biswal from Rajkanika area in Kendrapada district, told the media that his family was informed by the hospital staff that she had given birth to a male child last night. However, they were later handed over a girl child, he alleged.

While demanding a DNA test to ascertain the truth, he refused to accept the child till the report comes in. “Other patients and security guards had also heard when the staff informed about the birth of a baby boy,” he claimed, adding that the doctor subsequently said that the attendant had given wrong information by mistake.

Suspecting that the newborn has been swapped, Biswal said the hospital authorities should conduct a DNA test of both babies to bring truth to the fore.

Describing the allegation as serious, Director of Capital Hospital Dr Laxmidhar Sahoo said  preliminary investigation revealed that the complainant’s wife had delivered a girl child. It must have been a slip of tongue on the part of the attendant, who said it was a boy while handing over the baby.

Stating that a committee, led by the Medical Superintendent, has been set up to conduct a probe  he said efforts will also be made to convince the couple. If  the complainant is not convinced, the matter will be referred to the police and if necessary, steps will be taken to conduct a DNA test to ascertain the biological parents of the child.