Rajgarh: Twelve newborns suffered breathing difficulties after an oxygen supply pipe was stolen at Madhya Pradesh’s state-run Rajgarh district hospital, officials said on Wednesday.
Oxygen supply to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was interrupted after unidentified persons stole a 10- to 15-feet long copper pipe on Tuesday night, sparking panic as newborns began to cry as they struggled to breathe, officials said.
As the inbuilt alarm system in the NICU started beeping, medical staff rushed to restore the oxygen supply. An official said they managed the potentially dangerous situation by quickly connecting a backup jumbo oxygen cylinder to the system.
Pediatrician Dr. RS Mathur reached the hospital after the health workers informed about the situation. The official said they restored the oxygen supply by placing a jumbo cylinder to avert a possible tragedy.
Rajgarh District Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr Kiran Wadia said oxygen supply was restored quickly. He said that he informed the higher authorities about the incident.
An official said 20 newborns were being treated in the NICU when the incident came to light, including 12 dependent on oxygen.
“The crisis was managed because of the backup,” he added.