Newborn charred to death hours after birth at Kanpur nursing home, family alleges negligence

According to the police, Arund Nishad, a resident of the Ramesh Nagar area, brought his wife, Shalu (21), to the hospital late Sunday evening after she complained of labour pains. Shalu delivered a baby girl later in the evening. Following the delivery, the newborn was admitted to the NICU for medical care.

According to the police, Arund Nishad (pictured), a resident of the Ramesh Nagar area, brought his wife, Shalu (21), to the hospital late Sunday evening after she complained of labour pains.

The SHO said that the family alleged the infant was placed on a bed under a warmer machine in the NICU, which suddenly caught fire. They claimed that the newborn was severely burnt and died on the spot.

Following the incident, the victim’s family staged a protest at the hospital, alleging that the death occurred due to the negligence of the hospital and its staff. They claimed that the staff tried to conceal the incident for an extended period and disclosed it only after repeated requests from the family. Demanding strict action against those responsible, the family created a commotion at the premises.

The situation was brought under control after the police arrived and assured the family of a thorough investigation and appropriate action.

Arun’s sister, Ritu, said the family brought Shalu to the hospital on Sunday afternoon after she complained of severe pain. Following a medical examination, doctors decided to perform a caesarean section; she gave birth to a baby girl nearly three hours later.

However, Ritu alleged that the hospital staff did not allow the family to see the newborn and immediately shifted the baby to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). “It was an hour later that the fire broke out and our baby died… Even after her death, the hospital staff took her to another hospital to create a false impression that they were making efforts to save her,” Ritu claimed, speaking to The Indian Express over the phone.

She said the family has lodged a complaint with the police, demanding registration of a case, and alleged that the incident was a clear case of medical negligence.

“This was my brother Arun’s first child, and there was an atmosphere of joy and excitement in our home. He is a farmer, and the entire family had been eagerly waiting for this moment. But due to the negligence of the hospital staff, our happiness has been completely shattered,” she said.

Expressing her anguish, she added, “Jab achhi facility nahi rakhte to hospital kyon chala rahe ho? Isko band karo. Hum log bhi yahi chahte hain ki hospital band ho (If they cannot provide proper facilities, why are they running a hospital at all? It should be shut down. We strongly demand that this hospital be closed so that no other family has to suffer like ours).”

The post-mortem of the baby is yet to be completed. The police have yet to lodge FIR into the matter.