Guwahati, Aug 18: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has expressed grief and anger over what he called “gross negligence” on the tragic death of a 15-day-old infant in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at GMCH.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the hospital on Monday evening to take stock following the incident.
“Despite having sufficient equipment and fewer patients today, three infants were kept on one bed. This is unacceptable negligence,” Sarma said, directing immediate accountability.
The Chief Minister announced the formation of a three-member inquiry panel comprising senior doctors to review CCTV footage, question hospital staff, and submit findings within three to four days.
The nurse on duty has already been suspended pending investigation. He also ordered the hospital administration to issue a formal apology to the bereaved family.
Sarma stressed that overcrowding cannot be used as an excuse for the tragedy. “Assam now has 14 medical colleges with adequate infrastructure and staff. We cannot allow such lapses to occur,” he said, while revealing plans to introduce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in all state medical colleges to prevent the overcrowding of newborns in ICU beds and to strengthen patient safety mechanisms.
The incident unfolded around 5:30 AM on Monday, when staff discovered that two infants had fallen from their beds during routine checks. One of them — a baby boy born to Smita Deka of Noonmati and admitted for jaundice treatment — was found hanging from a phototherapy bed and could not be revived despite immediate medical efforts.
GMCH Principal Dr Achyut Chandra Baishya told reporters, “The baby was delivered 15 days back 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 senior-most inquiry committee has been constituted.”
He added that 21 newborns were admitted to the NICU at the time. “Our hospital delivers more than 700 babies every month, and such an incident is extremely rare,” he said.
An eyewitness said, “I heard that a baby was hanging from the bed. The doctors should have been more careful at night.”
Hospital authorities have assured strict action based on the inquiry’s findings.
Also Read: Assam: Four, including a minor, arrested for gang rape of 14-year-old deaf and mute girl
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