12 newborns left gasping for air as thieves steal oxygen pipe from hospital

Panic gripped Rajgarh district hospital in Madhya Pradesh late Tuesday night when an oxygen supply pipe to the NICU was stolen, jeopardizing the lives of 12 newborns. The missing copper pipe disrupted oxygen flow, causing breathing difficulties and triggering alarms. Swift action by medical staff, who connected a backup oxygen cylinder, averted a potential tragedy.

NEW DELHI: The theft of an oxygen supply pipe at the Rajgarh district hospital in Madhya Pradesh disrupted the oxygen flow to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU), leaving 12 oxygen-dependent infants struggling with breathing difficulties. The incident, which occurred late Tuesday night, triggered panic among hospital staff and raised concerns over security in critical healthcare facilities. The stolen pipe, a copper segment measuring 10 to 15 feet, was vital for supplying oxygen to the NICU.

As the flow ceased, newborns in the unit began crying, alerting the medical staff to the emergency. The NICU’s inbuilt alarm system also activated. Medical staff quickly managed to avert a tragedy by connecting a jumbo oxygen cylinder to the system, restoring the critical supply.

Paediatrician Dr RS Mathur rushed to the hospital to oversee the situation after being informed by staff. Rajgarh chief medical and health officer (CMHO) Dr Kiran Wadia confirmed that the oxygen supply was swiftly restored. “Higher authorities have been informed about the incident, and we managed the crisis effectively thanks to the backup system,” Wadia said.

“The staff acted promptly, and the backup system ensured there was no loss of life,” an official added. At the time of the incident, 20 newborns were being treated in the NICU, with 12 reliant on oxygen. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India .

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