Guwahati, Sept 2: Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) has suspended multiple doctors and staff members following last month’s tragic incident in its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where three newborns were seriously injured and one died.
Acting on the findings of an internal probe, the hospital indefinitely suspended Dr. Anupama Deka, Head of Paediatrics, and Associate Professor Dr. Dipankar Hazarika from the same department. Both doctors have been directed to remain in Guwahati during the suspension and are barred from private practice or engaging in any other professional work until further notice.
The hospital has also suspended Nurse In-Charge Gomati Devi, staff nurse Chandana Nath, and ICU technician Ishan Jyoti Talukdar. In addition, following complaints from the families of the affected infants, GMCH imposed six-month suspensions on Dr. Hrishikesh Thakuria and Dr. Puja.
The incident took place in Ward No. 3 of the labour and delivery unit, where four newborns were allegedly placed on a single ICU bed. Three of them suffered head injuries after reportedly falling, while another infant died.
Families have accused the hospital of chronic overcrowding in the NICU, with four to five babies crammed into a single ICU box. They have also alleged negligence, citing staff misbehaviour and inadequate safety protocols.
The case drew public outrage, prompting the intervention of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. An on-duty nurse was earlier taken into custody in connection with the mishap.