Guwahati: A four-day-old baby girl died at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on Monday under shocking circumstances after she was reportedly found hanging from the wires of a phototherapy machine inside the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
The infant’s family has alleged gross negligence by hospital staff, prompting the authorities to launch an inquiry.
GMCH Principal Dr. Achyut Baishya confirmed that the baby, born at the hospital on Friday, was undergoing treatment for an infection and jaundice—conditions commonly seen in newborns.
“She was admitted to the NICU and was under phototherapy when the unfortunate incident took place this morning,” Dr. Baishya said.
According to hospital officials, the on-duty nurse was inside a glass enclosure in the NICU preparing milk for the babies at feeding time.
“Some mothers had entered the NICU to feed their babies when one of them noticed a baby lying on the floor and another hanging by the wires of the phototherapy unit. Staff were immediately alerted. One baby was unharmed, but despite all efforts, the second could not be revived,” the Principal said.
Describing the case as unprecedented, Dr. Baishya said this was the first such incident reported in the GMCH NICU.
He announced a high-level inquiry to determine how the mishap occurred.
“The head of the department has been instructed to conduct a thorough probe involving doctors from pediatrics and other departments. The role of every staff member on duty—including doctors, nurses, and attendants—will be examined. CCTV footage will also be reviewed,” he said, adding that strict action would follow if negligence was proven.
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The family, grieving the loss of their first child, has squarely blamed the NICU staff for carelessness.
“Till yesterday, she was responding to us. Today, she is gone. My baby could not have died just because of an infection,” the father said.
Another relative alleged, “It was the negligence of the staff that caused this. We will not rest until justice is served.”
The inquiry committee will also recommend measures to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
