9-day-old baby airlifted from Lakshadweep to Kochi for treatment dies

Kochi: In a heart-rending incident, a 9-day old infant suffering from serious heart ailment died on Sunday despite being flown in a chopper from Lakshadweep islands to the port city for better medical care. The infant was brought to Cochin International Airport in a helicopter arranged by the Lakshadweep administration.

The child, however, died due to cardiac arrest while it was being transported in a special ambulance to a private hospital here, a hospital spokesman said. The infant's death was confirmed by the doctors at the hospital. The ailing newborn was airlifted from Lakshadweep under the supervision of a medical board.

The newborn baby of Lakshadweep native Razik and Sajida was diagnosed with serious heart ailment soon after birth nine days ago. When the condition worsened, doctors of the island hospital decided to bring the baby to Kochi for better treatment and the Lakshadweep administration made all arrangements for travel.

Razik works as a pharmacist in Rajiv Gandhi hospital in Agathi. The couple's first child Abdul Hakeem also was diagnosed with the same heart disease 4 years ago and he was saved after being airlifted in the same way. He was saved after one-and-half-months of treatment.

When their second child also was diagnosed with the same condition, Razik and Sajida were hopeful that their baby could be saved. The baby born with heart ailment was airlifted to Lisie hospital in Kochi for an emergency surgery. Sajida and Razik set out with the baby on Sunday noon at 12 and reached Kochi airport by 1.55 pm.

The baby's condition worsened during the journey in the ambulance and died by the time they entered the hospital. Though the parents were hopeful till the last minute, the baby could not be saved. The last rites was held at Thottathumpadi Juma Masjid cemetery.

(With inputs from PTI)