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Infant Fatality in NICU

Guwahati, Aug 18: A heartbreaking incident occurred at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on Monday, where an infant tragically lost their life after falling from a phototherapy bed.

The infant, whose mother is Smita Deka from Noonmati, was receiving treatment for jaundice when the incident took place.

Reports indicate that two infants fell from their beds; one was discovered hanging from a phototherapy unit and was pronounced dead, while the other remains in critical condition.

Dr. Achyut Chandra Baishya, the principal of GMCH, confirmed this incident, noting it as the first of its kind at the facility.

He stated, “We will review the CCTV footage from the ward as part of our investigation. An inquiry has already commenced, and we extend our condolences to the grieving family. In my six years at GMCH, I have never encountered a case like this.”

Dr. Baishya acknowledged the challenges posed by the hospital's infrastructure, explaining that the NICU, which is intended for 70–80 infants, frequently accommodates many more.

“We admit approximately 1,000 babies each month. We cannot turn anyone away, which sometimes necessitates sharing beds. If we limited admissions to one infant per bed, many would be denied care,” he elaborated, adding that strict measures would be taken if negligence is proven.

In defense of the hospital's safety standards, he remarked, “Just as road or air accidents do not deter us from using vehicles, this unfortunate event does not imply that GMCH is unsafe. It remains a secure environment for patients.”

Meanwhile, the father of the deceased infant, Utpal Bordoloi, has called for a thorough post-mortem and confirmed that he has lodged an official complaint against the hospital authorities.

“The principal has promised a fair investigation. I have also requested the post-mortem report and filed a complaint against GMCH authorities at Bhangaghar Police Station,” he stated.

As of the time of this report, the family had formally complained to the police. Bordoloi mentioned, “The police have yet to register a case.”

At this point, there has been no official statement from the police regarding the incident. Attempts to reach the officer-in-charge of the police station for comments were unsuccessful.