Authorities at the Mhow Civil Hospital in Indore and local police initiated a thorough investigation following an incident in which a stray dog was seen clutching a dead newborn baby near the hospital's toilet, according to The Hindu. The discovery prompted officials to review CCTV footage to ascertain the events leading to it.
"According to CCTV footage, the incident occurred between 1:30 and 2:00 AM," said Dr. H.R. Verma, the in-charge of Mhow Civil Hospital. During this time, a young girl was seen entering the toilet. After her admission to the hospital at 9 PM on Friday, complaining of stomach pain, the girl disappeared with an unidentified man shortly after. "We suspect that the girl gave birth to the child in the toilet," Verma added.
A security guard managed to retrieve the body after shooing away the dog at the civil hospital in Mhow, located 25 kilometers from the district headquarters. The child's body had been partially eaten by dogs, as per sources. Verma admitted the body was mutilated and informed that the baby's post-mortem was conducted on June 7. "The preliminary report says that the delivery was premature," he stated. "The corpse has been kept in the mortuary."
Mhow police station in-charge Rahul Sharma confirmed that the police seized the CCTV footage and started investigating the case. "Hospital authorities have given the CCTV footage along with the details the girl furnished at the time of admission," Sharma said. Efforts are currently underway to identify the girl who left the baby in the hospital's toilet.
The hospital has three entry points that are kept open at night, through which stray dogs often enter, including a gate situated near the storeroom. "I have directed that all gates be kept closed at night, while a security guard will stand near the main gate to keep an eye on people and shoo away the dogs," said Verma, acknowledging the security lapse.
The incident raises concerns about the security arrangements and monitoring in government hospitals. It comes just days after another event in Madhya Pradesh, where a pack of stray dogs killed a four-year-old boy on Suwasra-Runija road in Mandsaur district. Both incidents have intensified scrutiny over the administration's ability to ensure safety within public health facilities.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the newborn was born prematurely and may have been stillborn. "It is suspected that the baby was stillborn because no one heard the sound of the newborn crying while passing near the bathroom during the night," sources indicated. Hospital staff stated that around 2 AM, a girl arrived at the civil hospital, gave birth prematurely in the toilet, and fled, leaving the baby there.
"We will provide all CCTV footage to assist the police," Verma said. The hospital management faces accusations of hiding CCTV footage and facts related to the incident. "The duty doctor will also be sent a notice asking for a response," Verma stated. He further mentioned taking action regarding hospital security, saying, "Instructions have been given to the outsourcing company to remove the guard."
The post-mortem of the newborn's corpse was conducted by three doctors, and the results are awaited to shed more light on the circumstances. Sharma noted that a boy and a girl, both minors, were seen at the hospital on the night of the incident. After examining her, a medical staff member advised the girl to go to the labor room, but she did not comply.
Produced with the assistance of a news-analysis system.