Death of 20-day-old baby in causes major scandal in north Cyprus as more babies under serious health condition

On Sunday it was announced that a 20-day-old baby who was born premature died while receiving treatment at the Dr. Nalbantoğlu State Hospital in Lefkoşa.

According to report, the 20-day-old baby Mihrimah Toymurado who was born premature was receiving treatment in an incubator at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Department of the Lefkoşa Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital when she suddenly fell ill and died at around 1:30 pm on Saturday October 26.

Report say the cause of death will be determined by an autopsy.

According to a report by Yeneduzen on Sunday, it was claimed that pure alcohol was used instead of water in the newborn babies formula in the Emergency Hospital's neonatal intensive care unit section, which resulted in the death of a baby with other babies in critical condition.

Speaking to Yeneduzen on the issue, Düriye Deren Oygar, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, said, “The information that the 20-day-old baby had died came to us yesterday, and we rushed to the hospital. The Chief Physician and the Deputy Chief Physician have been tasked with investigating the case. The incident is being investigated, and the police are also informed."

Emergency Hospital Chief Physician Erol Uçaner said that an investigation has been launched regarding the 1 baby who died in the newborn children's department and the 7 babies whose health conditions deteriorated. He said, "An autopsy will be performed on the deceased baby tomorrow."

Erol Uçaner spoke to Kıbrıs Postası following the claims that “alcohol was given to babies in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Uçaner, who stated that the ministry and hospital officials held a meeting after the death of a baby, said that a deputy chief physician was assigned to investigate the matter. Uçaner, who pointed out that an autopsy will be performed on the baby who lost his life tomorrow, noted that an investigation has been initiated.

Uçaner stated that the condition of the other babies was better. 

Four people were arrested in connection with the incident.