A shocking incident occurred on Monday when three to four infants fell from a crib they were kept in at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of a government hospital in Guwahati. While two of the infants fell onto the floor, another was found hanging from the tubes attached for treatment. This led to the infant’s death.
Gauhati Medical College and Hospital principal Dr. Achyut Chandra Baishya said the 4-day-old boy, born to a couple from Guwahati’s Noonmati, was being treated for jaundice.
An investigation into the matter has been ordered by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Stating that 21 babies were admitted to the NICU at the time, Dr. Baishya told NDTV, “We have spoken to the parents and assured them of a thorough investigation. Our hospital sees over 700 deliveries a month and such an incident is extremely rare.”
“The baby was delivered on August 15 and was under phototherapy for jaundice. Around 5:30 am, a mother informed that the baby had fallen. We immediately tried to revive the infant but could not save him. Since I was not present at the time, I cannot comment further, but I have never heard of such an incident happening before. A top-level inquiry committee has been constituted,” Dr Baishya told NDTV.
The other two infants who fell from the crib are undergoing treatment, and their condition is now stable.
The father of the boy alleged that neglect on the part of the NICU staff led to his son’s death. Officials, however, said that the on-duty nurse was in the NICU but was preparing to feed the babies, and in her absence, the incident took place.
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