Tragic Death of Newborn After Falling From a Phototherapy Bed

Newborn’s Death at GMCH: Head of Pediatrics Among Five Suspended for Negligence

The Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Assam’s largest state-run medical institute, has suspended five staff members, including its head of pediatrics, over the death of a newborn girl in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The infant, born on August 15 and admitted for jaundice treatment, died on August 18 after falling from a phototherapy bed and getting fatally entangled in attached cables. No staff were present in the ward when the incident occurred.

Tragic Death of Newborn after falling from a phototherapy bed, raising questions about safety standards and human resource management in critical care units for newborns.

Those placed under six-month suspension are head of the pediatrics department, associate professor, nurses, and NICU technician. In addition, the Srimanta Sankardeva University of Health Sciences, which oversees GMCH, has suspended two postgraduate trainees for their role in the case.

According to GMCH authorities, the suspended personnel will face further departmental inquiries by the Medical Education and Research Department, the Directorate of Health Services, and the university. Officials said the action was taken based on findings of a high-level inquiry committee, which flagged negligence, attempts to mislead investigators, and poor record management.

The probe panel, set up by the Assam government, comprised Additional Chief Secretary , Director of Medical Education and head of pediatrics at AIIMS Guwahati.

The incident has also led to a criminal proceeding: nurse who was on duty at the time of the baby’s death, was arrested days later on charges of culpable homicide.

The infant’s death has triggered widespread outrage, raising questions about safety standards and human resource management in critical care units for newborns.

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