NCPCR takes suo motu cognisance of RIMS Adilabad fire, holds discussion with Telangana child rights panel

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has independently taken notice of a devastating fire at the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Adilabad, which tragically resulted in the deaths of five newborns. In response, the NCPCR has dispatched a team to conduct a thorough on-site investigation into the incident.

The commission's representatives recently convened with the Telangana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (TGSCPCR) in Hyderabad to discuss the matter and explore ways to bolster safety measures in hospitals to prevent similar tragedies in the future. During their meeting, the NCPCR team heard firsthand accounts from families affected by the fire, spoke with hospital officials, and assessed the current condition of infants who had been admitted for treatment following the incident.

The primary focus of the discussions was on enhancing safety standards for newborns, particularly in specialized care units where critically ill infants require round-the-clock medical attention. Both commissions emphasized the urgent need to improve emergency response protocols, implement stringent fire safety measures, and foster better coordination among relevant departments to ensure the implementation of robust preventive strategies.