A fresh investigation into the death of an infant at the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) has been initiated following directions from the Central Health Department, nearly 10 months after the incident triggered outrage and allegations of medical negligence.
As part of the renewed probe, the investigating officer on Friday re-recorded statements of the victim’s parents and sought details regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of the four-day-old girl.
“I received a call from the Deputy DME informing me that they wanted to investigate the incident once again. They called me to their office and took all the details about the incident again,” the infant’s father, Utpal Bordoloi, said.
He added that officials also recorded a written statement regarding the action that should be taken against those accused in the case.
According to reports, the Centre has sought a detailed report on the incident from the Assam health authorities.
The infant’s mother, Smita Bordoloi, said the family was still awaiting justice nearly a year after the tragedy.
“I want justice and I hope the health department looks into the matter seriously. It has been 10 months since the incident and I want the accused to be punished,” she said.
Following the infant’s death, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had constituted a three-member committee to investigate the matter.
The inquiry subsequently led to disciplinary action against several medical professionals attached to the hospital.
A notification issued earlier by the Medical Education and Research Department and the Directorate of Health Services, Assam, confirmed the suspension of seven medical personnel, including senior doctors, trainee doctors, nurses and technical staff.
Those suspended included Dr Anupama Deka, Head of Pediatrics; Dr Deepankar Hazarika, Associate Professor; nurse-in-charge Gomati Devi; staff nurse Chandana Nath; and ICU technician Ishanjyoti Talukdar. However, the duration of their suspension was not specified in the order.
In a separate notification, the Srimanta Sankardeva University of Health Sciences suspended trainee doctors Dr Hrishikesh Thakuria and Dr Pooja Saikia for six months, citing “grave misconduct and dereliction of duty”.
Two days after the infant’s death, police had arrested nurse Bhanupriya Misong on charges of negligence. She was reportedly the sister-in-charge of one of the NICU units on the night the incident occurred.
The arrest followed an FIR lodged by the infant’s father against the GMCH authorities soon after the tragedy.