A striking situation has come forward from the Sohna Multispecialty Hospital in Chandigarh on September 11, where a couple blamed the hospital staff of baby swapping. The couple claimed that they were shown a baby boy during delivery but were handed a baby girl later.
On September 11, Ramanpreet Kaur delivered the baby at Sohana hospital. Sandeep Singh, her husband alleged that hospital personnel initially showed him a boy, only to later give him a girl. The hospital strongly denied any wrongdoing. Officials maintained that hospital protocols had been followed, and that no staff member ever asserted the baby was male.
The management staff along with the healthcare professionals at the hospital tried to handle the situation but eventually had to let the Police intervene. The police then suggested for a DNA test to which the couple agreed.
DNA paternity testing is a highly accurate method used to determine a child's biological father by analyzing genetic material, typically obtained through a cheek swab.
The DNA testing process involves collecting DNA samples from the parents, and sometimes the child or fetus. These samples are analyzed in a laboratory to identify genetic markers shared between the child and the potential father. For prenatal testing, options like Noninvasive Prenatal Paternity (NIPP) tests can be performed as early as the eighth week of pregnancy, offering a non-invasive and 99.9% accurate method to establish paternity. 2
To resolve the dispute, hospital authorities arranged for a DNA test with full transparency. The Station House Officer (SHO) was present when the sealed report arrived. The result that came in on Friday was opened in front of all parties, confirmed that the baby girl is biologically theirs (Ramanpreet Kaur and Sandeep Singh).
Chief Administrator Adarsh Suri said after the report was read, “We are relieved that the matter has been put to rest. The hospital has always taken pride in its ethical and quality service.”
CA Suri, Dr. Manvir Singh, and CEO Dr. Gagandeep Sachdeva confirmed that the DNA report was reviewed in the presence of the SHO, the parents, and other witnesses. “The father himself informed us after seeing the report that everything is in order and that they accept the child,” Suri stated.
He also condemned the gender bias behind the dispute, adding, “A girl child is equally a blessing. The mother already had two daughters, and this baby came after 11 years. It is unfortunate that suspicion arose simply because the child was female.”
After seeing the DNA results, Singh acknowledged the baby as his daughter. Both parents, hospital staff, and the police agreed the controversy was resolved, closing the case.
References:
1. Cleveland Clinic, "DNA Paternity Test," last modified April 17, 2024, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/10119-dna-paternity-test.
(Rh/Eth/ARC/MSM)