Infant Dies After Falling From Phototherapy Bed In Guwahati Hospital
Tragedy at guwahati medical college as 15-day-old baby under jaundice treatment falls from nicu bed; inquiry panel set up
In a tragic incident at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), a 15-day-old infant admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for jaundice treatment died on Monday after reportedly falling from a phototherapy bed.
The baby, born to Smita Deka of Noonmati, was among more than 21 newborns in the NICU. According to GMCH Principal Dr. Achyut Chandra Baishya, staff discovered during morning checks that two infants had fallen. One was found hanging from a phototherapy bed and could not be revived despite immediate medical intervention.
“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. A senior-most inquiry committee has been constituted,” Dr Baishya said.
He stressed the rarity of such an incident, noting that GMCH delivers over 700 babies every month. The hospital has assured the grieving parents of a thorough investigation. An eyewitness told reporters that negligence at night may have led to the tragedy, saying, “I heard that a baby was hanging from the bed. The doctors should have been more careful.” Authorities said strict action would follow the inquiry’s findings.
