4-day-old infant dies in GMCH, family alleges negligence by on-duty staff
GUWAHATI: A newborn died at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), reportedly after falling from a phototherapy bed at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
The infant, born to Smita Deka of Guwahati’s Noonmati area, was admitted to the hospital for treatment of jaundice.
At around 5:30 am on Monday, the infant was found hanging from the railing of a phototherapy bed by hospital staff and declared dead later.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma condoled the death. He warned that strong action would be taken if negligence or dereliction of duty was the reason behind this “unfortunate and painful incident.”
“I spoke to the GMCH principal who expressed surprise over how it happened. They said there were 26 infants at the unit at the time of the incident but I don’t trust anybody,” Sarma said.
He further stated that he had asked Commissioner of Police Partha Sarathi Mahanta to examine CCTV footage during investigation.
This is the first such incident at the GMCH since its establishment in 1960. Hospital authorities ordered two separate probes.
“A departmental inquiry has been ordered into the incident along with another ordered by the college. The reports will be submitted within 48 hours,” GMCH principal Dr Achyut Chandra Baishya told TNIE.
The deceased infant was born through the C-section on August 15.
Utpal Bordoloi, father of the deceased infant, urged the principal to relieve those, who were on duty, from duties for the time being. He said he would file an FIR with the police and take legal recourse.
He demanded a fair probe and punishment for all those responsible. He urged the government not to tolerate negligence by health workers.
“I could not muster the courage to tell my wife about the incident. I said our baby is still in the ICU in a critical condition,” he said.