Assam Government Suspends Five Staff After Infant’s Death

The Assam Government has suspended five staff members from the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) following the tragic death of a four-day-old infant. The newborn, who was admitted to the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) for treatment of infection and jaundice, was discovered hanging from medical equipment wires on August 18, 2023.

Among those suspended are two senior doctors, Dr. Anupama Deka and Dr. Dipankar Hazarika, along with nurses Gomti Devi and Chandana Nath, and ICU technician Ishanjyoti Talukdar. Each has been placed on a six-month suspension. The notification from the government cites their failure to maintain proper records and accusations of misleading the investigation team probing the incident.

In a letter addressed to Achyut Chandra Baishya, the Principal and Chief Superintendent of GMCH, the State’s Medical Education and Research Department expressed its dissatisfaction with the situation. The letter emphasized the need for strict adherence to protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences, which oversees the medical college, has also rusticated two postgraduate trainees from the Department of Paediatrics. Hrishikesh Thakuria (second year) and a first-year trainee known as Pooja faced disciplinary action for “grave misconduct, dereliction of duty, and attempts to manipulate hospital records.”

The incident has drawn significant attention, prompting Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to promise stringent actions against those responsible. Health officials indicated that these suspensions are part of broader efforts to enhance accountability, uphold patient safety standards, and ensure that staff at critical care facilities adhere strictly to their responsibilities.

This tragic event has raised serious concerns about the operational standards within the state’s medical facilities and highlighted the critical importance of maintaining rigorous protocols in healthcare settings. The government’s swift response reflects a commitment to addressing lapses in care and ensuring the safety of vulnerable patients, particularly in neonatal units.