According to hospital authorities, the infant was undergoing treatment for pneumonia when a nursing officer accidentally severed the baby’s thumb while removing adhesive tape from an intravenous catheter using scissors. The severed thumb reportedly fell to the floor, causing panic among hospital staff and family members.
The hospital dean, Dr Arvind Ghanghoria, confirmed that Nursing Officer Aarti Shrotriya has been suspended with immediate effect. Additionally, the salaries of three nursing in-charges have been withheld for one month each for alleged supervisory lapses.
Hospital sources said that following the incident, the nursing officer reportedly felt dizzy. Instead of immediately escalating the matter, the on-duty doctor and staff attempted to dress the wound and manage the situation internally. The infant was later shifted to the Super Speciality Hospital, where surgeons performed a procedure to reattach the thumb. The family was reportedly assured that the child’s condition was stable.
The infant’s mother, Anjubai, a resident of Bajrangpura village in Betma, said her baby was admitted on December 24 due to pneumonia. She alleged that swelling was noticed in the child’s hand, following which a nurse was called. “While cutting the tape, the scissors cut my baby’s thumb,” she said.
Taking cognisance of the incident, the hospital administration has constituted a three-member inquiry committee under the chairmanship of Dr Ashok Yadav, Superintendent of Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital (MYH). The panel also includes Dr Nirbhay Mehta, in-charge of the New Chest Ward, Dr Rohit Baderia, Deputy Superintendent, and Dayawati Dayal, Nursing Superintendent.
Hospital officials said the committee has begun recording statements of the nursing staff involved. “The inquiry report will be submitted soon, and further action will be taken based on the findings,” an official said.
The incident has raised serious questions about patient safety, nursing protocols, and accountability in government hospitals, particularly in sensitive cases involving infants.
