Adilabad, Telangana | June 23, 2025: In a shocking incident that has raised serious questions about public hospital safety in Telangana, a ceiling fan fell on a newborn girl two-day-old at the Government Hospital in Gudihathnoor, Adilabad district.
What Happened?
According to reports, the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday when the newborn, just two days old, was lying on a hospital bed along with her mother. Suddenly, the ceiling fan above them loosened from its fixture and came crashing down, striking the infant on her head.
Immediate Medical Response
The hospital staff quickly responded to the situation. The baby, who sustained minor head injuries, was immediately shifted to RIMS Adilabad, a larger government medical facility known for handling emergencies.
Doctors at RIMS confirmed that the child’s condition is stable, and she is currently under observation. The hospital authorities assured the family that the injuries are not life-threatening.
Public Outrage and Accountability Demands
The incident has sparked outrage among local residents and social activists, who blame the poor maintenance of hospital infrastructure for endangering lives.
“This is a clear example of negligence. How can essential facilities like ceiling fans be in such a dangerous condition in a maternity ward?” questioned local activist Srinivas Reddy, demanding strict action against those responsible.
Officials Order Inquiry
In response to public anger, the health department has launched an internal inquiry to investigate the circumstances leading to the incident. Preliminary reports suggest a lack of regular maintenance checks could be the reason.
Authorities assured that strict measures will be implemented to ensure such dangerous lapses do not happen again in government hospitals across the state.
Calls for Infrastructure Overhaul
This incident adds to growing concerns over the quality of infrastructure in Telangana’s public healthcare system. Activists and opposition leaders have urged the state government to prioritize safety audits and modernisation of healthcare facilities, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
While the newborn’s recovery brings relief, the Gudihathnoor hospital incident serves as a wake-up call for the Telangana government to urgently address maintenance and safety gaps in public healthcare institutions.
Ensuring proper infrastructure in hospitals is not just a matter of comfort — it’s a matter of life and death.