TGHRC seeks report on death of three newborns in RIMS Adilabad fire
Hyderabad, Sept 23 (TNT): The Telangana Human Rights Commission (TGHRC) has taken suo-motu cognizance of reports on the death of three newborn infants in a fire at the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Adilabad, and sought a detailed report from the State Health Department.
The Commission, headed by Dr Justice Shameem Akther, took note of reports in several newspapers regarding the fire incident that occurred at the SNCU during the late hours of September 21.
According to the reports cited by the Commission, an alleged electrical short circuit involving an air-conditioning unit triggered a fire and dense smoke in the SNCU, where around 27 newborn and preterm infants were undergoing treatment.
Three infants died following the incident, while other babies reportedly suffered smoke inhalation and breathing difficulties and were shifted to other wards and nearby hospitals.
The Commission noted reports raising concerns over the maintenance and safety arrangements at the SNCU, including electrical and air-conditioning installations, fire alarms, firefighting equipment, emergency evacuation arrangements and other fire-safety measures.
It has sought a detailed report from the Principal Secretary, Health, Medical and Family Welfare Department, covering the circumstances leading to the fire, safety and maintenance arrangements at the SNCU, measures taken to rescue and treat the affected infants and the findings of any inquiry into the incident.
The matter has been posted for further consideration on October 27, 2026.
Meanwhile, the Telangana government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the three children who died in the incident, Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha said on Wednesday.
The Minister said the financial assistance would be provided as per the directions of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.
He reviewed with officials the health condition of children undergoing treatment at various hospitals in Adilabad and directed them to shift patients to major hospitals in Hyderabad for better medical care, if necessary.
Narasimha also said construction of a 150-bed Maternal and Child Health (MCH) centre at RIMS, Adilabad, would be taken up on a war footing.
The centre would have state-of-the-art facilities and would be made operational at the earliest, the Minsiter added.
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