Hyderabad, September 22: Three infants lost their lives in a fire that broke out at the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of the state-run Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Adilabad district, according to police and district officials. The incident, which occurred on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, has raised serious questions about safety infrastructure in critical care units across government hospitals.
Officials reported that the fire was triggered after an air-conditioner unit burst inside the SNCU. Preliminary investigations suggest that the appliance malfunctioned and exploded, leading to the rapid spread of flames within the neonatal ward. Fire personnel responded quickly and managed to extinguish the blaze.
At the time of the incident, 27 infants were undergoing treatment at the unit. Authorities immediately shifted all of them to various private hospitals in the area. Sadly, one pre-term baby was declared brought dead at the scene, while two additional infants succumbed to their injuries on Tuesday, bringing the total death toll to three.
A senior police official confirmed that 20 infants remain admitted to different hospitals for continued treatment. Four others were discharged and taken to their homes by their parents after their health conditions stabilized. Medical teams are closely monitoring the health of all affected children, officials said, adding that the situation remains under control.
The exact cause of the fire is yet to be established, and a formal enquiry has been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. District authorities have promised a detailed report once the investigation is complete.
The tragedy has once again spotlighted the challenges facing neonatal care facilities in under-resourced government hospitals, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. Incidents of this nature underscore the urgent need for rigorous safety audits, regular maintenance of electrical equipment, and robust emergency response protocols in units catering to critically ill newborns. The Adilabad district administration has assured that all necessary measures will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. (PTI)
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/09/23/telangana-3-infants-die-after-fire-breaks-out-at-govt-hospital/
Category: NATIONAL
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-09-23 07:39:00
