Indore, Madhya Pradesh: A routine medical procedure turned traumatic for a family in Indore after a one-and-a-half-month-old infant lost his thumb due to a serious error at Maharaja Yashwantrao Hospital, commonly known as MY Hospital. The incident, was reported on January 9.
According to hospital officials, the infant was admitted to the chest ward for treatment when a nurse attempted to remove an intravenous cannula from the baby’s hand. During the process, the nurse used scissors to cut the adhesive tape. The scissors slipped, accidentally severing the infant’s thumb. The injury caused panic among the family members, who immediately raised an alarm inside the ward.
Following the incident, hospital authorities suspended the nurse involved with immediate effect. The administration also withheld the salaries of three senior nursing in-charges, citing supervisory failure. Officials stated that an internal inquiry has begun to determine whether standard operating procedures were ignored and whether staff training was adequate.
The injured infant was quickly referred to MGM Medical College, where specialists performed a delicate surgery to reattach the severed thumb. Doctors later confirmed that the procedure was successful and that the baby remains stable under close observation.
This latest incident has reopened wounds from earlier tragedies linked to MY Hospital. In September 2025, two newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit were allegedly bitten by rats while admitted for treatment. One of the infants later died, while the other sustained visible injuries. Families at the time accused the hospital of severe negligence, poor hygiene, and ignoring repeated complaints about rodents inside critical care areas.
The rat-bite incidents triggered widespread outrage across Madhya Pradesh. The National Human Rights Commission issued notices to the state health department, demanding an explanation and corrective action. Hospital authorities, however, maintained that the newborns had serious pre-existing medical conditions and denied that rat bites were the direct cause of death, a claim that many families and activists strongly disputed.
After the NICU controversy, the hospital administration claimed to have intensified pest control measures, improved sanitation, and installed protective barriers to prevent rodent entry.
Despite these assurances, the recent injury to an infant during a basic medical procedure has left lasting emotional scars to the affected family.