Human Rights Panel Clears Ulhasnagar Hospital in Premature Infant Death Case
The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission has closed a suo motu case regarding the death of a 29-week premature infant at Central Hospital in Ulhasnagar, concluding that there was no evidence of medical negligence in the care provided.
The Commission initiated proceedings following a newspaper report alleging that the infant had died due to negligence and the absence of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at a private hospital in Ulhasnagar. In response, health authorities launched an inquiry to evaluate the standard of care.
As part of the inquiry, the Deputy Director of Health Services, Mumbai Circle, Thane, appointed Dr. Kailash Rathod to investigate the allegations. Dr. Rathod independently recorded statements from the medical officers and staff involved and reviewed the relevant medical records, finding that appropriate treatment had been administered. The Deputy Director also reviewed the documentation and informed the Commission that no evidence of negligence was found.
According to medical records submitted to the Commission, the infant weighed 650 grams and was referred to Central Hospital from a private facility, Asha Hospital. The baby was admitted at 9:15 pm on May 29, 2026, and was immediately placed in an incubator, where medical staff administered necessary injections and medications under continuous monitoring.
The Commission noted that the infant suffered from extreme prematurity and very low birth weight, leaving the child unable to breathe adequately. Hospital records showed that the parents were apprised of the infant's critical condition and informed that they could transfer the baby to a higher medical facility if they chose.
The records further documented that the parents did not attend to the child overnight and did not respond to multiple calls from the hospital staff. The infant died at around 7:00 pm on May 31, 2026.
An inquiry committee concluded that the hospital staff had provided the best possible care under the circumstances, a finding endorsed by the Civil Surgeon. Determining that two separate committees and senior health officials found the treatment proper, the Commission ruled that no human rights violation took place and closed the matter.
