Mother saved by her baby's cries; concrete slab collapses in maternity ward at Ernakulam General Hospital

KOCHI: A concrete slab fell from the roof of the ward at Ernakulam General Hospital where women who underwent caesarean section were staying. Eight women and six children, including bystanders, were in the ward at the time of the accident, but no one was injured.

The accident occurred at around 4:30 pm today in the family planning ward. Just before the concrete slab fell, a woman who was lying on a bed in this area woke up after hearing her baby's cries and was saved. The remains of the concrete slab that fell between two beds are scattered on pillows and beds. Rusty metal bars can be seen protruding from the roof where the concrete has fallen off. Following the accident, those present here were shifted to the maternity ward.

The family planning ward, which is adjacent to the hospital's labor room, was temporarily opened following an increase in the number of C-section mothers. This ward was closed as renovations were supposed to begin this week. The family planning operation theatre above this ward is also closed due to age. Many parts of the building are in a dilapidated condition. The toilets are also unusable. This is why the building was closed and it was decided to do renovations.

Hospital Superintendent's explanation

"It is true that a small concrete slab fell from the roof. No one was injured. No pregnant women were there when the accident happened. Patients are not admitted here regularly. This is a family planning ward that admits people only when there are too many patients. The ward was to be closed in the coming days for cleaning work."