Bihar Health Department Implements Stricter Security Measures for Newborn Care Units
The Bihar State Health Department has announced the formulation of stringent regulations governing visitor access to Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) across government hospitals. This decisive action comes in direct response to a series of alarming newborn theft incidents, most recently at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH).
New Security Protocols and Visitor Management
Under the new directives, entry into SNCUs will be strictly controlled. Access will be permitted only to individuals carrying valid, officially issued entry cards and solely during pre-designated time slots. Health Secretary Lokesh Kumar Singh has instructed concerned officials to draft these tighter entry norms, with a special emphasis on securing SNCUs where medically vulnerable newborns receive post-delivery care.
"The visitor card system is being introduced in government hospitals to regulate and monitor all individuals entering sensitive areas," stated Singh. He further mandated that medical colleges, district hospitals, and other healthcare facilities establish fixed visiting hours and significantly enhance vigilance during these periods.
Enhanced Surveillance and Infrastructure
In addition to access control, hospitals have been directed to ensure comprehensive CCTV coverage and active monitoring, particularly within SNCUs and maternity wards. These areas have been identified as highly vulnerable to security breaches. The integration of surveillance technology is seen as a critical deterrent and investigative tool.
Recent Incidents Prompting Action
The urgency for these measures was underscored by a theft at PMCH on February 23, where a male newborn was stolen from the maternity ward within hours of birth. The infant was fortunately recovered later the same day after the accused woman was identified via CCTV footage and apprehended. Investigators reported her motive stemmed from being taunted for childlessness three years into her marriage.
This was not an isolated case at PMCH. In May 2024, a 12-day-old male child was stolen from the same department while his mother was in the ICU. That baby, born to a couple from Vaishali, was later recovered from a rented accommodation in Patna's Rajapir Pul locality.
A Pattern of Thefts Across Bihar
Newborn thefts have plagued multiple government hospitals in Bihar, revealing a disturbing pattern. Officials and medical professionals note a consistent trend where the targeted infants are predominantly male.
- September 2024: A newborn boy was stolen from the SNCU of Begusarai Sadar Hospital approximately 24 hours after birth. CCTV footage captured a woman entering the unit, wrapping the baby in cloth, and leaving. The investigation later suggested potential involvement of local staff.
- December 2025: A male newborn admitted to the SNCU of Supaul Sadar Hospital for health complications was stolen after three days of care.
Expert Analysis on Underlying Causes
Former PMCH superintendent Dr. Rajiv Ranjan Prasad provided insight into the motivations behind these crimes. "Most cases involve male infants, which points directly to the deep-rooted social preference for sons," he explained.
Dr. Prasad elaborated that childless couples sometimes resort to theft due to a lack of awareness about legal adoption procedures or a reluctance to navigate what is often perceived as a difficult and lengthy process. He also highlighted a more sinister dimension, noting, "Some cases involve organised gangs that supply stolen newborns to couples for monetary gain, and regrettably, hospital staff involvement has been uncovered in certain incidents."
The new security framework aims to address these systemic vulnerabilities by combining physical access control, technological surveillance, and stricter procedural enforcement to protect newborns and restore trust in Bihar's public healthcare facilities.
