This is an archive article published on May 31, 2024
East Delhi hospital fire: Nearly a week later, 7th newborn succumbs to injuries
A senior police officer said the staff members had been questioned about their shift timings, their qualifications with proof of degrees and corroboration with their universities, their location at the time of the incident, among other things.
According to the fire department, the neonatal hospital had neither a fire NOC (no-objection certificate) nor any proper fire-combat arrangements. (Express Photo)
A 50-day-old newborn who had been rescued from the fire at Baby Care New Born Hospital in East Delhi’s Vivek Vihar succumbed to her injuries on Friday morning, police said.
On May 26, at 10.55 pm, a suspected short circuit in the generator, which had been stored on the roof of the building, sparked off a massive fire. It soon spread to oxygen cylinders stored in the hospital, leading to multiple explosions. Sixteen fire tenders were called to the spot almost 30-35 minutes later.
According to the fire department, the neonatal hospital had neither a fire NOC (no-objection certificate) nor any proper fire-combat arrangements.
Dr Naveen Khichi, the owner of the facility, and Dr Akash, who was on duty Saturday night, were arrested Sunday evening.
Advertisement
Police also plan to question hospitals that refer the children to the neonatal unit. Said an officer, “We will question the hospitals where the newborns were initially admitted and if they checked the credentials of the Vivek Vihar hospital before referring the patients there.
Police Wednesday said they had recorded the statements of 15 persons, including family members of the newborn babies and staff members of the hospital. A senior police officer said the staff members had been questioned about their shift timings, their qualifications with proof of degrees and corroboration with their universities, their location at the time of the incident, among other things. “They were also questioned about Dr Khichi and the process he followed in hiring them,” said an officer.
The officer said that families of the deceased newborns recorded their statements wherein they had been asked questions pertaining to which hospital referred them to the Vivek Vihar clinic, the health problem of their child, and other formalities they were made to go through while admitting their child into the clinic.
According to the fire department, the neonatal hospital had neither a fire NOC (no-objection certificate) nor any proper fire-combat arrangements. (Express Photo) 
Share
