Assam: Newborn Dies, Two Injured After Falling from NICU Bed in GMCH
The incident came to light around 5:30 AM when a parent, visiting to feed their child, noticed the distressing scene and alerted hospital staff.
GUWAHATI- A heartbreaking incident at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Assam’s largest government-run medical facility, has left one newborn dead and two others injured after they reportedly fell from a bed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) on Monday morning.
The tragedy, which occurred in Ward No. 3 of the hospital’s maternity unit, has sparked outrage and raised serious concerns about overcrowding and alleged negligence in the hospital’s NICU. According to hospital officials, the deceased infant, a four-day-old baby born to Smita Deka and Utpal Bordoloi from Noonmati, Guwahati, was admitted to the NICU for jaundice treatment following a cesarean delivery on August 15.
The infant was found hanging from tubes attached to a phototherapy bed, while two other newborns in the same crib sustained injuries after falling to the concrete floor. The incident came to light around 5:30 AM when a parent, visiting to feed their child, noticed the distressing scene and alerted hospital staff. Despite efforts to revive the infant, the baby could not be saved.
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GMCH Principal Dr. Achyut Chandra Baishya described the incident as an “unfortunate accident” and unprecedented in the hospital’s history. “This is the first such case in my six years at GMCH,” Dr. Baishya told reporters, noting that the NICU was overcrowded at the time, with 21 babies admitted despite a capacity of 70–80.
He acknowledged that the high patient load often forces the hospital to place multiple infants in a single bed, a practice that may have contributed to the tragedy. “We cannot refuse admission, so at times, two or three infants share a bed,” he said, emphasizing that the hospital handles over 1,000 deliveries monthly.
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The parents of the deceased infant have alleged gross negligence by NICU staff. Utpal Bordoloi, the grieving father, recounted the harrowing moment he learned of his child’s fate: “I was told my baby was hanging by a wire, with no oxygen supply, and had turned black.” Bordoloi has filed a First Information Report (FIR) at Bhangaghar Police Station, demanding a fair investigation and accountability.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has ordered a high-level probe into the incident, with a three-member committee tasked with investigating the circumstances. Dr. Baishya confirmed that CCTV footage from the NICU is being reviewed to determine how the incident occurred and whether staff negligence played a role.
Hospital officials stated that the on-duty nurse was in an adjoining room preparing milk feed for the newborns at the time of the incident, leaving the infants unattended. The two injured infants are receiving treatment and are reported to be in stable condition, though one remains critical.
The tragedy has reignited concerns about overcrowding and safety protocols at GMCH, with families and activists calling for immediate reforms to prevent such incidents in the future. “This is not the first time we’ve heard of overcrowding in the NICU,” said a relative of one of the injured infants, who wished to remain anonymous. “The hospital must ensure better facilities and stricter oversight.
” Dr. Baishya expressed condolences to the bereaved family and assured that strict action would be taken if negligence is established. However, his attempt to downplay the incident by comparing it to road or air accidents drew criticism. “
Just because accidents happen elsewhere doesn’t mean our babies should die in a hospital,” said a protester outside GMCH. The incident has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with posts on X condemning the hospital’s management and demanding justice for the affected families. As the investigation unfolds, the tragedy at GMCH underscores the urgent need for improved infrastructure and staffing in Assam’s public healthcare system to ensure the safety of its most vulnerable patients.
