'Stillborn' baby in India found to be alive moments before burial

Infant's family are calling for hospital staff in the Jammu region to be suspended for negligence

The hospital in northern India has ordered an investigation and a junior member of staff has been suspended pending the outcome. Photo: EPA

A newborn baby declared dead by doctors in India was found to be alive just moments before she was to be buried by her family.

Shameema Begum of Bankoot village in northern India’s Jammu region gave birth early on Monday only to reportedly be told by doctors at the government-run hospital that her baby was stillborn, village head Manzoor Alyas Wani said.

The grief-stricken family, including the child’s father, Basharat Ahmad, then went to the local graveyard to bury the baby. At the last moment, a relative noticed the infant moving and raised the alarm.

They rushed the baby back to the hospital where it was taken into the care of doctors.

The family and residents are now accusing the hospital of negligence and staged a protest outside the clinic. They demanded the hospital suspend the staff involved, including the doctor.

An investigation of the incident has been ordered and a junior member of staff at the maternity department has been suspended.

"We have already placed a junior staff nurse and sweeper working in the gynaecology section under suspension with immediate effect, pending an inquiry,” said Dr Rabia Khan, Block Medical Officer.