A sudden smoke scare near the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College in Jabalpur caused panic among parents and attendants on Thursday evening around 8:30 pm. Authorities later confirmed that the incident was caused by a short circuit outside the ward, and all newborns remain safe.
Short Circuit Outside NICU Causes Smoke
According to hospital officials, the smoke originated from a malfunctioning fan installed outside the NICU ward. The short circuit led to smoke spreading in the nearby area, creating alarm among people present in the hospital.
Panic Situation as Parents Rush to Rescue Babies
As the smoke spread, anxious parents rushed towards the NICU in an attempt to take their babies to safety. The situation briefly turned chaotic inside the hospital premises.
Police personnel from Garha police station quickly arrived at the spot and managed to control the crowd, preventing the situation from escalating further.
Rumours of Newborn Death Spark Tension
During the chaos, rumours circulated that a newborn had died due to the incident, which further heightened tensions among relatives. However, hospital authorities clarified that the death had occurred earlier and was not linked to the smoke scare.
Hospital Authorities Deny Negligence Claims
Some relatives alleged that no doctors or ward staff were present at the time of the incident. Responding to these claims, Superintendent Dr. Arvind Sharma stated that all babies admitted to the NICU were completely safe and unaffected.
He emphasized that on-duty staff acted promptly to manage the situation and prevent any major hazard.
Investigation Underway, Safety Review Initiated
Police and hospital authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the short circuit. A detailed review of safety arrangements within the hospital is also currently underway to avoid such incidents in the future.
Similar Incident in Delhi Hospital
In a separate incident, panic gripped the Madhukar Rainbow Children’s Hospital after a fire broke out in the operation theatre. Swift action by hospital staff and the Geetanjali fire station ensured the safe evacuation of patients, including newborns, with no injuries reported.
