Two preterm infants died after a fire broke out at the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Adilabad, Telangana, late on September 21. Around 25 other newborns were safely evacuated from the unit and shifted to nearby private hospitals for continued care.
The fire was reported at around 11.50 pm in the SNCU. According to Adilabad District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) Dr Sadhana, flames first emerged from an air-conditioner in the reception area of the unit.
The SNCU has two sections with 11 and 13 beds, while the adjoining Kangaroo Mother Care area has four beds. The enclosed layout and glass windows led to smoke accumulating inside the unit. Patient attendants reportedly broke the glass windows to clear the smoke and assisted hospital staff in evacuating the newborns.
Two preterm babies, aged four and five days, died following the incident. One infant died soon after the fire, while the second died around four hours later.
A fire tender was dispatched to the hospital after the incident was reported, and the blaze was brought under control. Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the fire.
Government Orders Inquiry
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed condolences to the families of the deceased infants and directed officials to ensure appropriate medical care and continuous monitoring of the newborns who were rescued.
The Chief Minister also ordered an inquiry into the incident and sought a report on the cause of the fire. Officials were further instructed to strengthen fire-safety and other safety measures in hospitals across the state.
Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha also expressed condolences and directed authorities to begin an immediate inquiry. According to a statement from his office, the other infants present in the ward were stable and had not developed complications following the incident.