RIMS Adilabad SNCU fire: 3 infants die, 2 remain critical

Hyderabad: An electrical short circuit in a window air-conditioning unit is suspected to have triggered a fire at the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Adilabad, late Monday night, resulting in the deaths of three premature infants and critically injuring two others.

The blaze broke out around 11.40 pm when 27 newborns and their attendants were present inside the SNCU. Hospital authorities said two injured infants remain in critical condition, with one on ventilator support and the other receiving oxygen.

Also Read:2 infants die after fire breaks out at RIMS Adilabad neonatal unit

Medical Dialogues yesterday reported that two infants, including a five-day-old newborn, died after a fire broke out at the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Adilabad late Monday night, while 28 children admitted to the ward were safely rescued and evacuated, fire officials said.

The three deceased infants, all girls and described as extreme preterm babies, are suspected to have died due to asphyxiation following smoke or toxic-fume inhalation.

One infant died within an hour of the incident, while two others died later while undergoing treatment at the Government General Hospital (GGH) in Nizamabad and RIMS, respectively.

Two other newborns who sustained injuries remain in critical condition. One is on ventilator support, while the other is receiving oxygen support.

The remaining 22 newborns were safely evacuated from the unit and either shifted to nearby private hospitals or moved to other wards at RIMS. Their condition was reported to be stable.

“All the rescued newborns are being closely monitored. Those requiring oxygen support are being provided the same, and we are keeping a close watch on their condition,” said Dr P Sadhana, district medical & health officer (DM&HO), Adilabad, reports TOI.

Dr Sadhana said two of the deceased infants were born at 28 weeks and weighed around 1.3 kg each, while the third, who was 15 days old, was born at 25 weeks and weighed around 1 kg.

The fire caused the ward to quickly fill with smoke after plastic components of the AC caught fire. Fire personnel managed to contain the blaze by around 3 am, said D Jayatram, station fire officer, Adilabad.

Speaking to TOI, Health officials said there was a problem with the AC, which was repaired about a week ago. “Fire and electrical safety audits had also been conducted at the hospital. Around Rs 5 crore had been spent on works at the hospital, while Rs 1 crore was sanctioned for AC-related works. A meeting was scheduled later this month to discuss replacing the existing ACs with new ones,” an official said.

Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha visited the affected ward and announced that an expert committee would conduct a comprehensive inquiry. Three separate safety audits covering electrical, fire and civil structural aspects will also be carried out at RIMS.

The minister said the committee would examine the causes of the fire, possible safety lapses and maintenance-related issues and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents. The findings will also be used to prepare proposals covering repairs, additional infrastructure, renovation, new building construction and recruitment of additional staff at RIMS.

He added that any negligence or lapses established during the inquiry would invite strict action.

The Adilabad police have registered a case of unnatural or suspicious death under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and launched an investigation into the incident.

Also Read:Short circuit in AC triggers fire at MKCG Medical College Hospital in Berhampur