Surat: In a move aimed at preventing infant kidnappings and strengthening security for newborns, New Civil Hospital introduced an upgraded RFID-based monitoring system in its neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The technology is designed to trigger instant alerts if anyone attempts to remove a baby from the ward without authorization.One of Gujarat’s largest govt hospitals, New Civil Hospital (NCH) here activated a security system based on radio frequency identification (RFID) in its NICU on Monday.Hospital authorities said the system comes after incidents of newborns being kidnapped from hospital wards and is intended to ensure continuous monitoring of infants in one of the hospital’s most sensitive units.Senior officials witnessed a demonstration of the system on Monday.Every baby admitted to the NICU will be fitted with an RFID band on the wrist. Sensors at entry and exit points will detect the band if an infant is taken out of the ward.The sensors will activate a siren, alerting security personnel. Hospital staff will then verify who is carrying the child and take appropriate action.The RFID system cost Rs 1.45 lakh. After its implementation in the NICU, a similar system will also be installed in the gynaecology ward.Hospital officials said an earlier version of the system had been installed three years ago but became defunct over time. The new version incorporates upgraded technology.Authorities said infant security is also being reinforced through additional measures. The hospital strengthened its CCTV surveillance network and is training security personnel to monitor visitors, bags and suspicious movements more effectively.“We are also training nurses to be more vigilant in wards where infants are alone. Multilayered security will prevent kidnapping incidents,” said Dr Parul Vadgama, in-charge medical superintendent of NCH.Hospital officials acknowledged that a determined offender could try to remove an RFID band. In such cases, they said, vigilance by nursing staff and security personnel will remain critical.In NICU wards, infants are often kept under medical supervision with parents not allowed inside, making staff monitoring especially important.Officials recalled that in an earlier kidnapping case, an infant was smuggled out in a bag. CCTV footage had helped identify the suspect and led to the child’s recovery.The hospital administration said the combination of RFID tracking, enhanced surveillance and staff training is expected to reduce the risk of such incidents.
