Prague Hospital Investigates After Mother Suffers Burns During Caesarean Section

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC — A mother suffered burns during a caesarean section at a Prague hospital, prompting an investigation into the incident, while her newborn baby was not injured, hospital officials said Monday.

The incident occurred on August 25 at Bulovka Hospital, located in the northern part of the Czech capital.

Hospital spokeswoman Eva Stolejda Libigerova confirmed that the caesarean section was carried out because of acute obstetrical complications. She said the hospital was investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The mother, reported by Czech newspaper Deník N to be 24 years old, was treated for burns and remains in stable condition. Hospital officials said she does not require intensive care and is staying in a standard ward with her baby.

Disinfectant Reportedly Caught Fire

According to Deník N, the woman suffered burns after a disinfectant reportedly caught fire during the procedure.

The newspaper reported that the incident happened after medical staff applied the disinfectant and subsequently used a surgical instrument to control bleeding.

The woman reportedly suffered burns affecting several areas of her body and was transferred to another Prague hospital with a specialist burns unit for further treatment before later returning to Bulovka Hospital.

The hospital has not publicly provided detailed information about the circumstances of the incident, citing the ongoing investigation.

Baby Unharmed

Despite the incident occurring during the delivery, the newborn was not injured, according to Bulovka Hospital.

Hospital officials said the mother and baby remain together at the facility while the mother recovers.

The investigation is expected to establish how the fire started and whether any procedural or safety failures contributed to the incident.

Previous Bulovka Hospital Controversy

The latest incident comes after Bulovka Hospital faced another serious medical controversy in 2024, when a pregnant woman underwent an abortion after hospital staff mistakenly confused her with another patient.

Czech media reported that the hospital apologised to the woman and paid compensation. Police subsequently shelved the case.

The two incidents are separate, but the latest case is likely to draw renewed attention to patient safety and medical procedures at the Prague hospital as authorities investigate what happened during the caesarean section.