TCN News
Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh: In a distressing incident at Rajgarh District Hospital, a 10 to 15-foot-long copper pipe supplying oxygen to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was stolen late Tuesday night (December 17, 2024), creating a life-threatening situation for 12 oxygen-dependent newborns.
The theft disrupted the oxygen supply, causing the babies to struggle with breathing difficulties. The NICU’s alarm system activated as the oxygen flow stopped, alerting the hospital staff to the emergency. An official reported that the crisis was managed by immediately connecting a backup jumbo oxygen cylinder to the system.
Rajgarh’s Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO), Dr. Kiran Wadia, confirmed that the oxygen supply was swiftly restored, ensuring the safety of all 20 newborns in the NICU. “Out of the 20 infants, 12 were oxygen-dependent at the time of the incident. With the backup system and prompt action by the staff, a potential tragedy was averted,” he stated.
Higher authorities have been informed of the theft, and hospital officials have urged law enforcement to investigate and ensure the security of critical medical equipment.
The incident at Rajgarh comes as a grim reminder of the vulnerability of medical facilities to thefts and accidents. Earlier, a massive fire in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Jhansi Medical College in Uttar Pradesh claimed the lives of 10 newborns and injured 16 others.
The theft at Rajgarh hospital highlights the urgent need for improved security and backup measures in healthcare facilities. Critical care units like the NICU rely heavily on uninterrupted supplies of oxygen and other life-supporting systems.
While no loss of life occurred in the Rajgarh incident, the event has sparked widespread concern. Residents and hospital staff are calling for stronger safeguards to protect vulnerable patients, especially newborns dependent on critical care.
Investigations into the theft are ongoing, with police and hospital authorities collaborating to identify and apprehend the culprits. Meanwhile, parents and families of the NICU patients are urging the government to ensure that such incidents are never repeated.