Child dies due to wrong injection at AIIMS Bhopal:Father objected, yet formalin injected into corpse; FIR filed against 2 nursing officers

A 3-year-old cancer patient undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhopal died due to serious negligence by hospital staff. The investigation revealed that formalin was mistakenly injected into the child instead of medicine. Formalin is the same dangerous chemical that is used in medical institutions for preserving biopsy samples and dead bodies. While administering the injection, the child’s father had warned the nurse three times that the syringe did not contain the correct medicine, but his concerns were ignored. A case has been registered against two nursing officers in this matter. Sarthak Yadav (3), a resident of village Kaurja in Bina tehsil of Sagar district, was suffering from blood cancer. He was admitted to the pediatric ward of AIIMS Bhopal on December 15, 2025, in critical condition. Formalin was filled and kept in the syringe According to the investigation, formalin, a chemical used to preserve biopsy samples, was filled in a syringe and kept in the ward. Nursing Officer Anuka Gujarati, who was on duty, left it near the patient’s bed instead of keeping it in a safe place, which was against hospital protocol. Nurse administered injection without checking On the morning of December 17, the child’s IV line had become blocked. During this time, nurse Madhu Bala Sharma, who was on duty, picked up the syringe kept there without checking the label or identifying the medicine, and injected it into the child’s vein. According to family members, the child’s father said three times that there was no medicine in the syringe, but the nurse did not listen to him. Condition deteriorated immediately after injection As soon as the formalin entered the body, the child’s condition suddenly deteriorated, and he became unconscious. He was immediately shifted to the PICU. Doctors made every effort, including CPR, but he died at 8:45 AM. Investigation report proves negligence The AIIMS internal investigation committee’s report clearly stated that the direct cause of the child’s death was formalin entering the body through the vein. The report held the nursing staff’s serious negligence responsible. Case registered against both nurses Bagsewania police station registered a case against both nursing officers on June 11 based on the investigation report. A case has been registered against nurse Madhubala Sharma under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for causing death by gross negligence. Meanwhile, action has been taken against nurse Anuka Gujarati under Section 286 for keeping dangerous chemicals in an unsafe manner. The investigation of the case is ongoing. Child had blood cancer The investigation has revealed that Sarthak Yadav was suffering from a serious disease called B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. This is a type of blood cancer in which abnormal white blood cells start growing rapidly and affect the body’s immune system. He was admitted to AIIMS Bhopal for treatment of this disease. What is formalin? Formalin is actually a solution of Formaldehyde gas dissolved in water. Typically, it contains approximately 3740% formaldehyde and is considered a strong, toxic chemical. It is used in the medical field to preserve tissue (samples) removed from biopsies or operations. Why is it dangerous?