Healthcare workers charged to court over the death of 20-day-old baby mistakenly fed with alcohol instead of water

Five healthcare workers who were detained as part of a police inquiry into the death of a 20-day-old baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Emergency Hospital, appeared today before Lefkosia District Court today.

Detailing the investigation in court, a police officer explained that the suspects were arrested on Saturday, 26th October, on charges of “Negligence”. The police disclosed that the investigation began after the baby unexpectedly fell ill and subsequently passed away in the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The officer stated that ethyl alcohol, a colourless, flammable liquid, had been mixed into the infants’ food without necessary precautions, adding, “The treatment of seven children is ongoing”.

The police also noted that numerous witness statements are yet to be taken and CCTV footage is under review. “Four of the suspects were working the same shift, while one was on a different shift. After the incident, a 5-litre bottle of ethyl alcohol was found in the room where the suspects were located”, the officer added.

The court ordered that the suspects be held in detention for three days to allow further investigation.

In a midnight statement from the Ministry of Health, it was announced that the recovery process for six babies still receiving care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit was progressing well.