Surat witnessed a harrowing incident in the early hours of Sunday when a distressed mother climbed multiple floors of the New Civil Hospital (NCH) on scaffolding, driven by anxiety over her newborn's critical health. The dramatic event required a prolonged and tense rescue operation by firefighters.
A Desperate Climb Amidst Personal Trauma
The woman, whose newborn baby was admitted in a critical condition, reportedly left the ward around 1:30 am. Her husband had stepped out briefly. Overwhelmed by the sight of her child in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (NICU), placed in an incubator, she experienced a severe mental breakdown. Sources at NCH confirmed that the shock led her to the subsequent drastic action.
She accessed scaffolding erected for lift repair work on the hospital's COVID building. Starting from the ground floor, she climbed all the way up to the seventh floor. For nearly two-and-a-half hours, firefighters from the Majura station engaged in a delicate effort to communicate with her and persuade her to come down safely.
The Tense Rescue Operation
Despite repeated appeals, the woman refused to descend and was seen moving precariously along the scaffolding, significantly increasing the risk of a fatal fall. The fire brigade team, led by Majura fire officer Abhishek Gadhvi, prepared for all scenarios. Safety equipment and a net were deployed on the ground as a precautionary measure in case she jumped.
"We had safety equipment ready on the ground in case she jumped. Thankfully, we managed to convince her, and she was rescued unharmed," stated Fire Officer Gadhvi. The strategy involved surrounding her and ensuring a controlled rescue. When firefighters arrived, she began descending on her own. After several attempts, she reached the second floor, where firemen successfully brought her down to safety.
Aftermath and Focus on Maternal Mental Health
The woman was safely brought down and handed over to hospital security and her waiting family. The incident has cast a spotlight on the immense psychological pressure and trauma parents, especially mothers, can face when a newborn is critically ill. While the physical rescue concluded successfully, the episode underscores the need for robust mental health support systems within healthcare settings to assist families during medical crises.
The condition of the newborn, who remains in the NICU, was the central catalyst for the mother's actions. This event in Surat serves as a poignant reminder of the deep vulnerabilities and emotional turmoil that can accompany childbirth complications, necessitating compassionate care and immediate psychological intervention for affected families.
