Tragedy Averted But Parents Face Night Of Fear At Daga Hospital

Nagpur: While the Bhandara hospital tragedy that left 10 newborns charred was averted at Daga Memorial Hospital, the horrific images of the 2021 fire momentarily flashed in the minds of parents waiting outside on Thursday morning. It was a traumatic 24 hours, when many mothers panicked for the safety of their newborns after the short-circuit at the Daga Hospital SNCU triggered a fire-and-smoke alarm."I was waiting for my turn to breastfeed my baby when suddenly someone came running out, saying a fire had broken out at the SNCU. I was shell-shocked. But soon I began breathing when I found my baby safe," said Ritika Ramesh Zodape, a 33-year-old resident of Khaperkheda whose newborn son was admitted to Daga Hospital SNCU since May 3 due to breathing complications after birth."There was panic all around and mothers grew anxious seeing hospital staff rushing out with the babies. Thankfully, the situation was brought under control and all babies were safely shifted," said Pragati Gajbhiye, another mother who delivered on the same day and witnessed the chaos during evacuation.Both mothers, along with several others, were later made to sit inside an ambulance with their newborns and shifted to other govt hospital facilities, including IGMCH and GMCH NICU.On Thursday night as silence fell on hospital corridors, murmurs among relatives and parents outside the SNCU continued. "We want to stay here for another night. We are still very worried," said a relative.At IGGMCH, an anxious Laxmi took a round near the baby warmer before returning outside ward No. 2. Concern for her newborn lingered. Just a day ago, her baby girl was among 10 out-born infants who escaped a fire scare at the sick newborn care unit (SNCU) of Daga Hospital and was shifted here."I am a mother. Despite assurances my heart is unsettled," she said. Her relatives remained outside the ward till late Thursday, even though the hospital allowed them to return home. Four other women along with their newborns were shifted to GMCH. Relatives and parents were found waiting outside, restlessly recalling the incident.At GMCH, a mother broke down while her husband tried to give her strength. She couldn't overcome the trauma. Parents waited in 44 degree summer heat and the night too didn't offer much respite.