The catastrophic fire at Baby Care New Born Hospital in Vivek Vihar, Delhi, has sent shockwaves across the country. Due to the hospital doctors' negligence, seven infants died in the blaze. Currently, five of the twelve newborns admitted are receiving treatment. The hospital owner Dr. Naveen Kichi and Dr. Aakash, who was present during the incident, are now in police custody. A thorough investigation by the Delhi Police is underway.
An official from the Delhi Fire Service revealed that the fire erupted around 11:30 PM on Saturday, quickly spreading to adjoining buildings. Twelve newborns were rescued, sadly not all survived, with ongoing care at a government hospital for the five survivors. The police have initiated charges under IPC sections 336, 304, 304A, and 308 against those held responsible for the catastrophe.
Lack of Authorization Plagues Nursing Home Operations
Investigations by the Delhi Police uncovered that the nursing home's permission had expired on March 31. The Health Department of the Delhi Government normally grants such permissions, however, Dr. Naveen Kichi continued operations illegally. Initially permitted only five beds, the home frequently admitted up to 25 to 30 children. Thirty-two oxygen cylinders were confiscated on the premises, whereas only a few were necessary for the permissible bed count.
BABY Care New Born Hospital Depended Solely on BAMS Doctors
The hospital had not received a clearance from the Delhi Fire Service. The absence of fire-fighting arrangements, improper entry and exit provisions, and the lack of an emergency exit were noted. The most shocking revelation was that the hospital relied on BAMS doctors, unqualified for treating infants, blatantly disregarding regulations and running the center haphazardly.
Dentist Wife Aided Treatment of Infants alongside Dr. Naveen Kichi
Dr. Naveen Kichi, an MD with branches in Vivek Vihar, Punjabi Bagh, Faridabad, and Gurugram, operated the Baby Care hospital alongside his dentist wife, Jaagruti. Dr. Aakash, a BAMS doctor present during the outbreak, fled the scene instead of assisting in the rescue efforts.
Source: aajtak
Local Heroes Risk Lives to Save Infants
The local community played a pivotal role in rescuing the children, braving flames alongside firefighters. While some bystanders were busy filming the incident, others courageously helped evacuate the infants through the rear windows, due to the front of the building being engulfed in flames. One local resident, Jitendra Singh, even lost consciousness from smoke inhalation and exhaustion, necessitating his own hospitalization.
After the Fire Broke Out, Hospital Staff Vanished
"I was walking with my family when we noticed the fire and alerted the hospital staff," said Aabid, a local resident. At the time, the fire did not seem severe, but after calling someone, the staff disappeared. The Delhi Fire Service deployed 16 fire engines and Divisional Fire Officer Rajendra Atwal to manage the three-building inferno.
Source: aajtak
While Some Saved Lives, Others Recorded Videos
A senior DFS officer lamented the crowd that assembled to record the fire, with many hindering the rescue efforts. The public should refrain from getting too close to such dangerous scenes in order to allow responders to perform their jobs effectively. Bystanders often pose a significant challenge during emergencies.
Source: aajtak
A History of Negligence at Baby Care New Born Hospital
Dr. Naveen Kichi's Baby Care Hospital has been previously linked to criminal negligence. In 2021, the owner faced charges under IPC sections 325, 506, 34, and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act. A case filed by a couple from Hathras accused them of running an unregistered nursing home and tampering with medical records.
Nurse Breaks Child's Arm Amidst Treatment
An appalling incident saw a couple discover, through hospital CCTV, a nurse assaulting their child, resulting in a broken arm. When presented with the complaint, Dr. Naveen Kichi instead threatened the couple. Further investigation revealed the nursing home's registration under the Delhi Nursing Home Act was non-existent.
Source: aajtak
Seven Infant Deaths Raise Serious Questions
Upon settling with a fine prior, the repercussions of the past were swiftly overlooked. But the tragic loss of seven lives raises critical questions about responsibility. Did the health department officials conduct inspections? Was the center allowed to operate only after meeting all norms? Was there complicity with local police in running an illegal hospital? Many questions remain, with answers expected to emerge as the police investigation progresses.
