Sarman

When he examined Sarman, Dr. Das says, he thought the baby was unlikely to live because he had developed a liver disease, among other complications.

One Family's Futile Quest to Get Help for Their Baby Geeta Anand 2011

Ms. Siddiki had already spent weeks on a journey through India's public-health system trying to cure her son, Sarman, of chronic diarrhea.

One Family's Futile Quest to Get Help for Their Baby Geeta Anand 2011

But three weeks later, Sarman could no longer even sit up.

One Family's Futile Quest to Get Help for Their Baby Geeta Anand 2011

A few days later, when Sarman was so weak he didn't open his eyes, Ms. Siddiki jumped on another train to Kolkata, this time showing up at a different government hospital: Beliaghata I.D. Hospital.

One Family's Futile Quest to Get Help for Their Baby Geeta Anand 2011

Back home, when Sarman's diarrhea continued, Ms. Siddiki took him by bus to another hospital, North 24 Parganas District Hospital.

One Family's Futile Quest to Get Help for Their Baby Geeta Anand 2011

That hospital transferred Sarman the next day to B.C. Roy, Dr. Das says.

One Family's Futile Quest to Get Help for Their Baby Geeta Anand 2011

At the outpatient clinic, a doctor prescribed medicines and sent Sarman home, says M.K. Das, head of pediatrics who reviewed the family's hospital records.

One Family's Futile Quest to Get Help for Their Baby Geeta Anand 2011

He said one of the regime's military brigades, called the Khuwelidi al-Hamidi and based in nearby Sarman, was behind the siege of Zawiya.

Obama Says Gadhafi Must Quit, Sends Aircraft for Refugees Sam Dagher 2011

Sarman was admitted into a ward where babies with contagious disease—including diarrhea and measles—are packed in two tightly spaced rows of metal cots.

One Family's Futile Quest to Get Help for Their Baby Geeta Anand 2011

Dr. Das says he can't explain, in retrospect, why Sarman wasn't hospitalized instead of being sent away.

One Family's Futile Quest to Get Help for Their Baby Geeta Anand 2011