KUNNATHUR: The lapse in treatment from the part of a private hospital has led to the death of a mother and her newborn child. The woman, identified as Najma(25), died on Sunday morning while she was undergoing treatment at SAT hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.

According to her Najma's relatives, she was admitted for labour to a private hospital in Karunagappalli on July 29. Though she had complained of severe pain in the night, none of the hospital staff took her seriously. As her pain grew worse, Najma's mother approached the hospital staff following which she was rushed to the labour room. However, no doctors turned up to treat her. By the time doctors reached the labour room, woman's condition had become critical, relatives said. Subsequently, Najma was referred to the SAT hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.

The relatives also alleged that Najma was referred to SAT hospital at a stage when the baby was halfway through. Upon reaching the SAT hospital, it was found that the child was dead. It is learnt that Najma had been seeking treatment at the same private hospital from the beginning. Following a complaint filed by her husband Sudhir, the autopsy of the child was conducted under the leadership of Forensic Department head Dr Lisy. The autopsy report is yet to come out.

Najma's body was buried on Tuesday after post mortem. Karnagappalli ACP said that an investigation has been initiated based on the complaint filed by Najma's relatives.