Pune: ‘Code Pink’ Alert System Launched at Sassoon and 34 Other Govt Hospitals in Maharashtra to Prevent Infant Theft

Pune, 20th July 2025: To prevent incidents of newborn theft and enable swift action in case of such emergencies, the Medical Education and Drugs Department has launched a new alert protocol called ‘Code Pink’ in all 35 government medical colleges and hospitals across Maharashtra, including Sassoon General Hospital in Pune.

The initiative aims to ensure the immediate recovery of infants reported missing from government hospitals. This system is modeled after the existing ‘Code Blue’ protocol, which activates an emergency medical team when a patient suffers a cardiac arrest or loses consciousness on hospital premises.

Now, similarly, ‘Code Pink’ will be triggered when a baby goes missing from maternity, postnatal, or neonatal wards. Once the alert is issued, all exit points within the hospital are sealed, and an intensive search operation begins.

A senior official from the Medical Education Department explained, “As soon as a nurse or head nurse is informed of a missing baby—either by hospital staff or family members—the Medical Superintendent is alerted. The Superintendent then instructs the telephone operator to announce ‘Code Pink’ over the hospital’s public address system. Immediately, security personnel seal off all entrances and exits and begin screening every individual in the hospital.”

The protocol also includes reviewing CCTV footage, alerting the local police, and initiating a manual search across the hospital. Once the baby is located, the system is deactivated with the announcement of ‘Code Pink All Clear’.

Dr. Aarti Kinikar, Head of the Paediatrics Department at Sassoon Hospital, noted, “The ‘Code Pink’ system is functioning effectively at Sassoon. It uses the same infrastructure as ‘Code Blue’, ensuring rapid coordination. However, it’s equally important to create awareness among families and caregivers so they understand how to respond if such a situation arises.”

This move comes in response to past instances of infant theft in government hospitals, where delayed response often hampered recovery efforts. The introduction of ‘Code Pink’ is seen as a critical step in strengthening hospital security protocols, especially in high-risk areas like maternity wards.

Officials stressed that the success of the system depends not only on hospital staff but also on the vigilance of relatives and visitors, who must report any suspicious activity immediately.

With the system now live at Sassoon and other government hospitals, authorities are optimistic that infant thefts can be prevented or swiftly resolved, ensuring safety and peace of mind for new mothers and their families.