A major safety lapse at a prominent hospital in Madhya Pradesh has led to a tragic incident where a stillborn infant's body was partially charred after a fire broke out in the operation theatre. The blaze occurred at Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Rewa on Sunday afternoon, creating panic and raising serious questions about fire safety protocols in medical facilities.
Chaos in the Operation Theatre
The incident took place around 1 pm on Sunday inside the gynaecology operation theatre. A caesarean surgery was in its final stages on a woman who had delivered a stillborn child. Suddenly, smoke began billowing from the OT, triggering immediate evacuation procedures.
Medical Superintendent of Sanjay Gandhi Hospital, Dr Rahul Mishra, confirmed to TOI that the woman was swiftly moved to safety. "She was immediately removed after the fire broke out," he said. Since her stitches were not yet complete, she was rushed to a nearby operation theatre where the surgery was successfully finished. The hospital authorities confirmed the woman is now out of danger.
A Tragic Aftermath and Swift Response
Amid the chaos of evacuating the mother and medical staff, the tray containing the body of the stillborn infant was left inside the burning OT. Before fire tenders could bring the flames under control, the infant's body suffered partial charring. This heartbreaking detail has become the focal point of the incident.
Fire tenders were pressed into service promptly. Officials reported that the blaze was contained without any injuries to living patients or hospital staff. As a precautionary measure, patients from nearby wards were also evacuated when smoke was first detected.
Probe Initiated, Political Reactions Surface
On Monday, hospital authorities initiated a comprehensive probe into the fire. Dr Rahul Mishra stated that a detailed inquiry was ordered to ascertain the exact cause. Notices have been issued to all concerned persons and agencies, including fire and safety departments.
While the precise cause remains unknown, initial suspicion points towards a possible technical fault or short circuit within the OT. The investigation aims to pinpoint the exact origin and lapses.
The incident has also drawn political commentary. Congress spokesperson Bhupendra Gupta linked the event to other recent healthcare failures in the state. "This incident happened at the health minister's hometown. Taking responsibility, the health minister should resign, someone needs to be held accountable for these incidents," Gupta told TOI. He poignantly added that only the child's mother could truly tell if the infant was stillborn, highlighting the emotional gravity of the loss.
This fire at Sanjay Gandhi Hospital underscores the critical need for impeccable fire safety and emergency protocols in operation theatres, where seconds can mean the difference between life, death, and dignity in tragic circumstances.
