Guwahati, 02 September (HS): The Assam government has taken stern disciplinary action against staff of Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) after the tragic death of a four-day-old infant in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) on August 18.

Seven staff members, including senior doctors Dr. Anupama Deka, Dr. Dipankar Hazarika, Dr. Puja, Nurse-in-Charge Gomti Devi, ICU technician Ishanjyoti Talukdar, and staff nurse Chandana Nath, have been suspended for six months for misleading the probe team and failing to maintain proper records.

Additionally, two postgraduate trainees of the Department of Paediatrics—Dr. Hrishikesh Thakuria (2nd Year) and Dr. Pooja (1st Year)—have been rusticated for six months by Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences (SSUHS) on charges of grave misconduct, dereliction of duty and manipulation of hospital records.

The newborn, admitted with infection and jaundice, was found hanging from medical equipment wires just four days after birth. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who had personally inspected the hospital, earlier confirmed negligence and assured strict action. “I saw with my own eyes that negligence was there. A child has Killed. The nurses are themselves mothers and they can understand the pain of losing a child even more than I,” Sarma had said.

Officials maintained that the disciplinary measures underscore the government’s commitment to accountability, patient safety, and strict adherence to protocols in critical care units.-------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash