A newborn tragically died early Monday morning at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Assam after reportedly falling from a phototherapy bed. The infant’s family alleges negligence by hospital staff, demanding accountability and justice.
In response, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has ordered a high-level investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident. A three-member committee has been constituted, comprising Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Sweety Changsan, Director of Medical Education Dr Anup Barman, and senior paediatrician Dr Jaya Shankar Kaushik from AIIMS Guwahati.
GMCH’s Principal, Dr Achyut Chandra Baishya, confirmed the initiation of an internal probe and vowed strict action if negligence is established.
Overcrowding and Safety Concerns at Gauhati Medical College
The baby was admitted to the NICU on August 15, shortly after birth via C-section, for treatment of jaundice and infection. According to official reports, the incident occurred around 5:30 am when mothers visiting the ward for feeding discovered two babies had fallen from the phototherapy unit, one infant fell to the floor but survived; the other, tragically, was found hanging from the bed railing and could not be resuscitated.
Dr Baishya explained that at the time of the incident, the nurse on duty was in another room preparing milk for babies unable to breastfeed. The unit was overcrowded, housing 26 infants, which has been flagged as a concern, with Dr Baishya acknowledging that monthly admissions exceed 1,000 newborns despite a physical capacity for just 70–80 beds.
This systemic overload forces the hospital to place multiple babies together in a single phototherapy bed, raising serious safety questions. The principal has asked department heads to analyse CCTV footage for a detailed report.
Family’s Grievances and Demand for Justice
The newborn’s father, Utpal Bordoloi, expressed deep anguish over the loss and alleged gross negligence on the part of the hospital staff. He claims the hospital failed to inform him about his daughter’s death, and he only discovered it himself upon arriving at the hospital.
Bordoloi condemned the practice of placing multiple babies on one phototherapy bed, which he believes directly contributed to the tragic death. He has demanded a fair and thorough investigation, the suspension of staff present during the incident, and legal action against those held responsible. He also lodged an FIR at the local police station to initiate formal legal proceedings.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This heartbreaking tragedy is a stark reminder of the immense vulnerability of newborns and the grave pressures that India’s healthcare system faces, especially in public institutions. The Logical Indian believes that such incidents should prompt far-reaching reforms focused on strengthening hospital infrastructure, increasing staffing, and prioritising patient safety at every level. No family should suffer due to overcrowding or insufficient care in facilities designed to save lives.
Transparent investigations and accountability are crucial, but equally important is the establishment of support systems that offer compassion and timely communication to affected families. This incident underscores how critical it is to invest in expanding neonatal care capacity and improving monitoring protocols, ensuring children receive attentive, safe care.
