The Telangana Human Rights Commission (TGHRC) has roped in the health authorities in Telangana’s Adilabad district over an incident in which a ceiling fan fell on a newborn at the Primary Health Center (PHC) in Gudihathnoor, causing head injuries. The commission held the state responsible for the nullity and recommended that compensation of ₹50,000 be paid to the child’s mother.
The TGHRC took up the suo motu case based on media reports published in June describing how a ventilator collapsed on a hospital bed in an inpatient ward.
According to Adilabad DMHO report dated July 22, Payal Jadhav of Machapur, who was admitted to the PHC with labor pains, gave birth to a baby girl in the early hours of June 22. Later that morning, one of the ward’s two ceiling fans began spinning unusually slowly. The attendant turned it off and on again, but within minutes the ventilator detached from the hook and fell directly onto the newborn.
The baby suffered a contusion on the right side of the head and was sent to the RIMS NICU. A CT scan revealed a nondislocated fracture of the right parietal bone and a thin subdural hematoma. She was discharged after her condition stabilized, and no neurological symptoms were reported during follow-up.
The PHC doctor informed the Commission that the ventilator fell because the screw holding it got separated from the hook due to rust. The policeman called it an accident and did not claim negligence. A follow-up inspection by the TGMSIDC Executive Engineer also found that the lower fan rod had broken at a rusted joint. Repairs were started after the incident. Instructions were also issued to all doctors to inspect and replace corroded or faulty fixtures, including ventilators, tube lights, wiring and switchboards.
The commission rejected the “accident” claim and ruled that the state had failed in its basic duty to maintain safe public health facilities. “Maintenance of hospital infrastructure is the responsibility of the government and lack of maintenance resulting in injury to patients constitutes a breach of statutory and constitutional obligations,” they said.
Published – 24 Nov 2025 19:27 IST
