Chandigarh, June 15: In a disturbing incident at Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32 (GMCH-32), a foetus removed during a medical procedure was stolen and later found abandoned near the hospital premises — raising serious questions over the security arrangements within the institution.
The incident occurred after a pregnant woman, Reena, a resident of Nurpur Bedi, was admitted to GMCH-32 on June 7. During examination, doctors determined that the foetus in her womb was no longer viable and advised an immediate medical procedure. Following the procedure, the hospital staff handed the wrapped foetus to her husband for burial in keeping with family customs.
He was directed to proceed to the Sector 25 cremation ground for last rites. However, somewhere along the way, the bag containing the foetus was reportedly stolen.
Later, the same bag was found abandoned near the hospital by a passerby, who noticed the suspicious package and alerted hospital security. The security team immediately responded and informed the police post situated within the hospital premises. A daily diary report (DDR) was registered in connection with the incident.
Hospital authorities have expressed shock over the sequence of events. “We followed protocol and handed over the foetus to the family after the procedure. The fact that it was stolen and then found near the hospital is extremely troubling,” said a senior GMCH-32 official, requesting anonymity.
Police have launched an investigation to identify the person responsible for the theft and determine how the foetus ended up back at the hospital. Meanwhile, the incident has sparked outrage among patient rights groups and raised broader concerns about security and surveillance measures at one of the city’s busiest government hospitals.
Security experts and civil society members have demanded a thorough review of hospital protocols, particularly in handling sensitive biological materials. “It’s not just about security failure, but a question of basic human dignity. There needs to be accountability,” said Meera Khullar, a healthcare rights advocate.
As of now, no arrests have been made, but hospital officials said they are cooperating fully with the investigation and have assured that internal security protocols will be reassessed to prevent such incidents in the future.
