Doctors fired after 'dead' baby found to be alive on way to cremation

Two doctors in Delhi, India, were fired on Sunday (3 December) after they wrongly declared a newborn baby dead, only for the infant to be found alive while being transported to a nearby crematorium.

The incident took place on 30 November at the privately run Max Hospital, where the child was pronounced dead shortly after his twin sister was stillborn. Doctors handed the two bodies over to parents in a plastic bag.

While transporting the babies to a nearby crematorium, the parents noticed one of their children moving in the plastic bag.

The Indian government has launched an inquiry into the incident.

Announcing the termination of the two doctors, the hospital said in a statement: "While the inquiry by the expert group which includes external experts from IMA is still in process, we have decided to terminate the services of the two treating doctors.

"The strict action has been taken on the basis of our initial discussions with the expert group and as a reflection of our commitment to higher standards of care."

The two doctors were named as Dr. AP Mehta and Dr. Vishal Gupta.

"We wish to clarify that this action should not presuppose finding of any lapse by the expert group and should not be construed in anyway to be anything other than an expression of our continued commitment to providing quality health care."

The incident has sparked public outcry, raising questions about the quality of private healthcare in India, which is often expensive. It follows another incident in November at Fortis Hospital in Gurugram that saw the parents of a young girl who died of dengue charged $24,602 (£18,200) for her treatment.