‘Code Pink’ Initiative in Maharashtra Hospitals: A Robust Security System to Prevent Infant Kidnapping

Code Pink Initiative in Maharashtra 2025 | Maharashtra hospital security | Infant kidnapping prevention scheme | Maharashtra newborn safety System | Code Pink security system India | Maharashtra government scheme for infant safety

In a groundbreaking move to bolster newborn safety, the Maharashtra government has introduced the ‘Code Pink’ initiative, a globally recognized emergency protocol aimed at curbing infant abductions in government-run hospitals and medical colleges. This initiative, rolled out in response to a concerning rise in baby thefts, particularly in crowded public healthcare facilities, represents a significant step toward enhancing security for the most vulnerable patients—newborns. With a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), advanced technological integration, and mandatory staff training, Code Pink is poised to restore public trust in Maharashtra’s healthcare system. This article delves into the details of the initiative, its implementation, significance, and broader implications for infant safety in India.

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The Context: Rising Concerns Over Infant Abductions

Infant abductions, though relatively rare, are among the most distressing incidents that can occur in a hospital setting. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), about half of all infant abductions globally occur within hospital premises, often from maternity wards or mothers’ rooms. In Maharashtra, cases like the kidnapping of a newborn from a government hospital in Miraj in May 2025 underscored the urgent need for a standardized security protocol. Overburdened public hospitals, handling dozens of deliveries daily, have historically been vulnerable to such incidents due to lax security measures, inadequate staff training, and insufficient technological safeguards.

Code Pink Initiative in Maharashtra

The Maharashtra government’s decision to implement Code Pink was spurred by these alarming cases, coupled with public outcry and the need to align with international best practices. The initiative, formalized through a Government Resolution (GR) issued on July 9, 2025, by the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), outlines a detailed framework to prevent infant thefts and ensure swift action in emergencies.

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Code Pink Initiative in Maharashtra Highlights

What is Code Pink?

Code Pink is a hospital emergency code that signals the suspected or confirmed disappearance of an infant, typically under six months of age. Universally adopted in many countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, the code triggers an immediate, hospital-wide response to locate the missing child and secure the facility. In Maharashtra, Code Pink has been tailored to address local challenges, such as high patient volumes and resource constraints in government hospitals. The protocol covers all stages of a newborn’s hospital journey—from antenatal check-ups to discharge—and integrates advanced security measures to prevent unauthorized removal of infants.

When a Code Pink alert is activated, hospital staff are mobilized to:

• Initiate an intensive search within and around the hospital premises.
• Secure all exits and entrances, with security personnel monitoring key points.
• Review CCTV footage and interview witnesses to gather information.
• Send an SOS to local police with a description of the missing infant and any potential suspects.
• Announce the alert repeatedly over the hospital’s public address system, specifying the child’s details and last known location.
• The protocol remains active until the infant is found or law enforcement issues an “all clear.”

Objectives of the ‘Code Pink’ Initiative in Maharashtra Hospitals

• Prevent Infant Abductions: Implement strict security measures to stop unauthorized removal of newborns from hospitals.
• Ensure Rapid Response: Activate immediate hospital-wide action to locate a missing infant and secure the facility.
• Enhance Staff Preparedness: Provide mandatory training and regular mock drills for medical, nursing, and security staff to handle emergencies effectively.
• Integrate Advanced Technology: Use CCTV, RFID tracking bands, and automatic door-locking systems to monitor and protect infants.
• Standardize Procedures: Enforce a uniform Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) across all government hospitals for consistent infant identification and security.
• Increase Parental Awareness: Educate parents about security protocols and encourage them to report suspicious activity.
• Improve Accountability: Conduct regular security reviews and submit quarterly reports to ensure continuous improvement.
• Restore Public Trust: Strengthen confidence in government hospitals by demonstrating a commitment to newborn safety.

Key Features of Maharashtra’s Code Pink Initiative

The Code Pink initiative in Maharashtra is a multi-layered approach that combines procedural rigor, staff training, and technological innovation. Below are its core components:

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): The DMER’s GR mandates a comprehensive SOP that governs all hospital units, including antenatal wards, delivery rooms, neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), and discharge processes. The SOP ensures that every newborn is accounted for at all times. For instance, a newborn’s foot impression is recorded immediately after birth and verified before the child is handed over to a pre-identified relative of the mother. This identification process begins even before delivery to minimize errors.

Staff Training and Preparedness: Training is a cornerstone of the initiative. Medical, nursing, and security staff undergo mandatory training upon hiring, with regular refresher courses and mock drills conducted at least twice a year, as per National Accreditation Board for Hospitals (NABH) guidelines. These drills simulate abduction scenarios to identify weaknesses in the system and ensure staff are prepared for real emergencies. Expenses for training are covered by hospital budgets, ensuring sustainability.

Technological Integration: The initiative leverages advanced technologies to enhance infant security. Hospitals are equipped with CCTV surveillance, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tracking bands for newborns, and automatic door-locking systems. RFID tags, such as those used in systems like TotGuard, trigger alarms if tampered with or taken through unauthorized exits. These technologies integrate seamlessly with existing hospital workflows, reducing the risk of human error and enabling real-time monitoring of infants’ locations.

Security Reviews and Reporting: Medical superintendents are required to conduct monthly security reviews and submit quarterly action-taken reports to the DMER. This ensures continuous evaluation and improvement of security measures. The Commissioner of Medical Education and AYUSH oversees state-level implementation, ensuring accountability across all government medical colleges and hospitals.

Parental Involvement: Parents are educated about security protocols during prenatal visits. They receive identification bands that match their infant’s, and they are encouraged to report suspicious activity. This collaborative approach empowers families to play an active role in their child’s safety.

Implementation Challenges and Solutions

Implementing Code Pink in Maharashtra’s crowded government hospitals is not without challenges. Facilities like Daga Memorial Women and Children Hospital in Nagpur, which handles 25 deliveries daily, and Bhandara District General Hospital, with 15–20 deliveries, face resource constraints and high patient volumes. Additionally, some hospitals, such as those under the public health department, may not be covered by the DMER’s GR, creating potential gaps in implementation.

To address these challenges, the government is working to standardize protocols across all public healthcare facilities, regardless of administrative jurisdiction. The integration of cost-effective technologies, such as RFID tags and CCTV systems, helps bridge resource gaps. Furthermore, regular mock drills and staff training ensure that even understaffed hospitals can respond effectively to a Code Pink alert.

Impact and Significance

The Code Pink initiative is a critical step toward addressing a long-standing gap in hospital safety protocols in Maharashtra. By adopting a globally recognized standard, the state aligns with international best practices while tailoring solutions to local needs. The initiative’s emphasis on proactive measures—such as footprinting, RFID tracking, and staff training—significantly reduces the risk of infant abductions. Moreover, the rapid response mechanism ensures that, in the rare event of an abduction, the chances of a safe recovery are maximized.

The initiative also restores public confidence in government healthcare institutions, which have faced criticism for security lapses in the past. High-profile incidents, such as the 2021 fire at Bhandara Hospital that killed 10 infants, highlighted the need for robust safety measures. Code Pink addresses these concerns by creating a secure environment for newborns and their families.

Broader Implications for India

Maharashtra’s Code Pink initiative sets a precedent for other Indian states to follow. Infant abductions are a national concern, with the NCMEC reporting 140 hospital-based cases in the United States since 1983, suggesting a similar risk in India’s densely populated healthcare facilities. By implementing a standardized protocol, Maharashtra provides a model that can be scaled nationwide, particularly in states with high birth rates and overcrowded hospitals.

The initiative also underscores the importance of technological innovation in healthcare security. Systems like TotGuard and Hugs® Infant Protection, which are widely used globally, demonstrate how RFID and real-time location services can enhance infant safety without disrupting hospital workflows. As India invests in healthcare infrastructure, adopting such technologies could become a standard practice.

Conclusion

The ‘Code Pink’ initiative in Maharashtra represents a bold and necessary response to the threat of infant abductions in government hospitals. By combining a detailed SOP, rigorous staff training, and cutting-edge technology, the state is creating a safer environment for newborns and their families. While challenges remain, particularly in resource-constrained settings, the initiative’s proactive approach and emphasis on accountability set a high standard for healthcare security. As Maharashtra leads the way, other states and countries can draw inspiration from this model to protect their most vulnerable citizens. The Code Pink protocol is not just a security measure—it is a promise to safeguard the trust and well-being of every family that walks through a hospital’s doors.

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‘Code Pink’ Initiative in Maharashtra Hospitals FAQ 

Q. What is the ‘Code Pink’ initiative?

The Code Pink initiative is a security protocol introduced by the Maharashtra government to prevent infant abductions in government-run hospitals and medical colleges. It triggers an immediate hospital-wide response to locate a missing newborn and secure the facility.

Q. Why was the Code Pink initiative introduced?

It was launched in response to rising incidents of infant thefts in public hospitals, such as the 2025 Miraj case, to enhance newborn safety and align with global best practices.

Q. Hospitals are covered under this initiative?

The initiative applies to all government medical colleges and hospitals under the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) in Maharashtra, with plans to expand to other public healthcare facilities.

Q. How does Code Pink work when activated?

When activated, it initiates:  

• An intensive search of the hospital premises.  
• Locking of all exits and entrances.  
• Review of CCTV footage and witness interviews.  
• An SOS to local police with the infant’s details.  
• Repeated announcements over the hospital’s public address system.

Q. What technologies are used in the initiative?

Hospitals use CCTV surveillance, RFID tracking bands (e.g., TotGuard), and automatic door-locking systems to monitor infants and prevent unauthorized exits. 

Q. How are newborns identified under this protocol?

A newborn’s foot impression is recorded immediately after birth and verified before the child is handed over to a pre-identified relative. Parents also receive matching ID bands. 

Q. What training do hospital staff receive?

Medical, nursing, and security staff undergo mandatory training upon hiring, with refresher courses and mock drills conducted at least twice a year to prepare for abduction scenarios.

Q. How are parents involved in the Code Pink initiative?

Parents are educated about security protocols during prenatal visits, given matching ID bands, and encouraged to report suspicious activity to hospital staff. 

Q. Who oversees the implementation of Code Pink?

The Commissioner of Medical Education and AYUSH oversees state-level implementation, while medical superintendents conduct monthly security reviews and submit quarterly reports to the DMER.

Q. What happens if an infant is not found after a Code Pink alert?

The protocol remains active until the infant is located or law enforcement issues an “all clear.” Hospitals continue coordinating with police and reviewing evidence to ensure a swift resolution.

Q. Are there any challenges in implementing Code Pink?

Challenges include high patient volumes, resource constraints, and coverage gaps in non-DMER hospitals. Solutions involve cost-effective technologies and standardized protocols across all facilities.

Q. Can other states adopt this initiative?

Yes, Maharashtra’s Code Pink serves as a model that other Indian states can adapt to enhance infant safety in their healthcare facilities, especially in high-traffic hospitals. 

Q. Where can I learn more about Code Pink?

For further details, contact the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) or refer to the Government Resolution issued on July 9, 2025, available through official state healthcare portals. 

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