A tragic incident at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Bhopal has led to a first information report (FIR) being lodged against two nurses for allegedly injecting a three-year-old cancer patient with a hazardous chemical. According to police sources, the child, identified as Sarthak Yadav from Korja village in Sagar district, passed away shortly after receiving an injection of formalin, a toxic substance primarily used for preserving biological samples.

On December 15, Sarthak was admitted to AIIMS for the treatment of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a serious form of blood cancer. Following an internal investigation that uncovered serious lapses in protocol, the FIR was registered against the two nursing staff members, Madhubala Sharma and Anuka Gujarati. It was revealed that a syringe filled with formalin had been prepared for a bone marrow biopsy that was later postponed. Instead of being disposed of safely, the syringe was left unsecured near the child’s bed, ultimately leading to this grievous error.

According to the FIR, on December 17, Nurse Madhubala Sharma used the syringe to flush Sarthak’s intravenous line without confirming the contents or checking the label. Alarmingly, the child’s father, Siddharth Yadav, had warned the nursing staff multiple times about the potential dangers, yet his concerns went unheeded.

The hospital’s management has expressed deep regret over the incident, emphasizing their commitment to patient safety and outlining measures to prevent such occurrences in the future. The use of formalin is explicitly regulated in medical settings due to its toxicity, and this incident has raised serious questions regarding the adherence to safety protocols at one of India’s premier healthcare institutions.

In the wake of this tragedy, many are calling for stricter regulations and training within healthcare facilities to ensure that patient safety is never compromised. The family of the young boy has been left devastated, and they are seeking justice for their loss. This incident not only highlights the personal tragedy for Sarthak’s family but also underlines the urgent need for reform within healthcare practices across the nation.