In a devastating turn of events, a newborn baby reportedly succumbed to the dire consequences of a power outage at the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH), affectionately known as Cottage. Dr. Jeredine George, a specialist Obstetrician Gynaecologist at the hospital, confirmed the heartbreaking loss, shedding light on the harrowing circumstances surrounding the infant's untimely demise.

According to Dr. George, the newborn was in distress within the confines of its mother’s womb, necessitating urgent medical intervention. However, the hospital's crucial lifeline, electricity, was abruptly cut off, depriving medical staff of the necessary resources to sustain the fragile life. Despite efforts to conduct emergency surgery on the mother, the absence of power proved fatal, leading to the tragic loss of the newborn shortly thereafter.

The gravity of the situation was exacerbated by the prolonged duration of the power outage, spanning from 9:15 pm on Monday until 8:00 am on Tuesday. Dr. George elucidated that while the hospital is equipped with solar power capabilities, these systems can only operate at full capacity for a maximum of five hours. Regrettably, the solar power reserve had been depleted by the time of the emergency, leaving medical personnel grappling with the challenge of delivering essential care in darkness.

In the absence of adequate illumination, nurses on night duty were compelled to navigate their duties under the faint glow of phone torches or rely on the sporadic assistance of patients' relatives. Such conditions not only jeopardize patient care but also pose significant risks to the well-being of both patients and medical staff.

Dr. George issued a fervent plea to relevant authorities, urging immediate intervention to address the myriad challenges besieging the hospital. From infrastructural deficiencies to the critical shortage of resources, the plight of PCMH underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reform and sustained investment in the healthcare sector.

This tragic incident serves as a poignant reminder of the profound consequences of inadequate infrastructure and underscores the imperative of prioritizing the provision of essential services, particularly in critical healthcare settings. As the nation mourns the loss of this innocent life, it is incumbent upon authorities to heed the clarion call for urgent action and ensure that such preventable tragedies never recur.