Kanpur: A day after a newborn girl died after a fire allegedly broke out in a warmer machine inside the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a private nursing home in Bithoor, the district administration cancelled its registration for operating the NICU without permission and other irregularities. The fact was revealed in an investigation after a newborn died due to burning in a warmer machine on Sunday evening.According to hospital records and the family, the baby was delivered through a caesarean section around 4 pm Sunday and was shifted to the NICU for routine observation, while the mother was moved to the ward.A few hours later, the warmer on which the infant had been placed allegedly caught fire, leaving the child with severe burn injuries. She could not be saved, officials said.An investigation ordered by district magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh found that the nursing home was registered but did not obtain permission for the NICU. During an inspection, fire extinguishers were also found to be expired. The administration said that strict action would be taken if the hospital is found operating the NICU again. A notice was issued to the management to provide clarification within three working days.A case was registered against the nursing home doctors under Section 106 (1) of the Indian Justice Code at Bithoor police station, based on a complaint filed by the deceased newborn’s family.Singh emphasized that patient safety is non-negotiable, announcing mandatory safety audits of life-saving equipment in all district hospitals. He also warned of strict action against unlicensed health units, vowing to crack down on those putting lives at risk. On Suday, angry relatives staged a protest inside the hospital and damaged parts of the NICU. They also alleged that the management offered Rs 2 lakh to settle the matter, a claim that has not been officially confirmed.Police reached the spot and brought the situation under control. Assistant Chief Medical Officer (ACMO) Ramit Rastogi said a three-member inquiry committee has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the fire.
