The tragic incident at New Born Baby Care Hospital in East Delhi's Vivek Vihar, where seven newborns lost their lives in a massive fire, has brought to light concerning details about the hospital owner, Dr. Naveen Khichi. It has been revealed that Dr. Khichi's facility was not registered, and he faced accusations of mistreating a newborn during treatment in 2021.
Dr. Khichi, reportedly fled to Jaipur following the fire incident, prompting a police team to be dispatched to catch him in the Rajasthan capital.
In 2021, Dr. Khichi faced charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Juvenile Justice Act after a couple from Uttar Pradesh's Hathras alleged that their newborn suffered a fractured left hand during treatment at the hospital. The couple obtained CCTV footage showing a nurse allegedly beating the newborn, and when they approached Dr. Khichi, they claimed to have been threatened by him.
An investigation revealed that the hospital was not registered under the Delhi Nursing Home Act, which mandates proper registration for all nursing homes and hospitals in the national capital. Although authorities imposed a fine on the hospital, leading to regular treatment resuming, the incident raised concerns about the facility's standards and practices.
The recent fire at the hospital claimed the lives of seven newborns, while twelve others were rescued and transferred to another hospital for treatment. The cause of the fire was suspected to be an oxygen cylinder blast, according to Delhi Fire Services chief Atul Garg.
This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for proper regulation and oversight in healthcare facilities to ensure the safety and well-being of patients, particularly vulnerable newborns.
