Maharashtra: Six main hospital tragedies go away over 75 useless in 2021

Maharashtra is within the throes of a raging coronavirus outbreak that threatens to overwhelm the state’s healthcare infrastructure. The disaster has been compounded by the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s inept dealing with of the pandemic. The authorities had failed to avoid wasting human lives, not solely affected by the pandemic however as a result of administrative negligence in hospitals. About 75 folks had died as a result of hearth accidents and different mishaps at 6 hospitals within the State in 2021 alone. Here are the main points of every incident.
January: Hospital hearth in Bhandara take the lives of 10 infants
On January 9 this yr, 10 infants have been killed in a hearth accident on the Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of the Bhandara District General Hospital in Maharastra. The hearth broke out at 1:30 am at evening. At that point, a employees nurse noticed smoke popping out of the ward the place infants have been being handled. On getting into the ward, the nurse might see nothing however smoke. Chief surgeon Pramod Khandate knowledgeable, “She informed the higher authorities and all of us reached there. As far as possible, we personally took the babies outside and in the next five minutes, fire brigade reached.”
Only 7 infants might be rescued from the SNCU of the hospital. The loss of life of 10 toddlers created political upheaval within the State of Maharashtra. While talking concerning the incident, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray remarked, “All hospitals in the State should undergo fire audit immediately. The State’s health team is fighting the coronavirus, but there cannot be any compromise with the safety of the hospitals and patients.” He had additionally introduced an ex-gratia of ₹5 lacs to the households of the deceased youngsters.
The identification of 9 infants was completed instantly whereas the id of 1 child remained undetermined. The toddler was discovered on the roadside and was dropped at the hospital for remedy. A case was additionally filed towards the dad and mom of the deserted little one. Lokesh Kanse, a senior police inspector on the Bhandara City police station, had knowledgeable, “Prima facie, the fire seems to have originated from Air Conditioner. The death of the babies happened due to suffocation that was caused by the smoke. A case of accidental death has been registered and further investigations are on.”
Visuals from the district hospital in Bhandara, picture by way of India Today
According to SP Vasant Jadhav, 4 consultants group have been dropped at Bhandara from Nagpur Fire Service College, Electrical Department and Forensic Department to find out the precise reason behind the hearth. After 12 days of the hearth accident, the Maharashtra authorities suspended medical officer Dr Archana Meshram and nurse Jyoti Bharaskar, who have been on obligation at the moment. At the identical time, the district civil surgeon Dr Pramod Khandate was additionally suspended within the aftermath of the tragic incident.
Besides, an extra civil surgeon Dr Sunita Bade was transferred from the hospital. Paediatrician Dr Stuti Ambade and two nurses specifically Smita Duke and Shubhangi Sathavane have been terminated from service. The motion was taken after the Nagpur Divisional Commissioner submitted an inquiry report back to Health Secretary. The 6-member committee, shaped to probe the incident, accused civil surgeon Khandate and extra civil surgeon Bade of negligence.
March: 11 die after Mumbai hospital hearth accident
On March 25, about 11 Coronavirus contaminated sufferers died after a hearth broke out on the primary ground of Dream Mall, which had a devoted Coronavirus remedy facility. The incident passed off within the Bhandup space of Mumbai. Reportedly, the Covid-19 centre was established contained in the mall as a result of an absence of beds in the course of the rise of Coronavirus circumstances within the State in 2020.
The Sunrise Hospital was situated on the third ground of the mall. It had a capability of 107 beds. The hospital authorities have been in a position to evacuate a complete of 68 folks whereas 11 sufferers died of suffocation. The hearth service officers knowledgeable that the hearth broke out on the primary ground of the mall after which unfold to the second and third flooring. “We managed to rescue 68 patients from the hospital with the joint effort of all agencies…We have filed a case with the Bhandup police station and the reasons behind the fire will be probed. Police will also check as to whether all permissions and NOCs related to fire safety were obtained,” an official had knowledgeable.
Firefighters extinguishing the hearth at Sunrise hospital, picture by way of Emmanual Yogini
However, Covid-19 sufferers within the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and air flow couldn’t be evacuated. The 68 rescued people have been taken to close by Coronavirus centres. In an announcement, Sunrise Hospital mentioned, “It is functioning with all due compliances such as fire licence and nursing home license. The hospital staff did a fantastic job in safely evacuating patients on wheelchairs and beds to the refuge areas and by following the fire drills.” Following the incident, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray visited the placement. The BJP demanded that the BMC and Maha Vikas Aghadi take accountability for the incident.
April: Oxygen leak at Nashik hospital go away 24 useless
On April 21, an incident of oxygen leakage at Dr Zakir Husain Hospital in Nashik had left 24 useless. About 22 Coronavirus sufferers had suffocated to loss of life after the oxygen provide got here to a sudden halt as a result of malfunctioning in the primary storage of the hospital. Later within the day, 2 extra sufferers, who have been on ventilators, had died as a result of insufficient oxygen provide. At the time of the incident, about 150 sufferers have been admitted to the hospital.
Following the oxygen leakage and subsequent casualties, the Nashik police lodged a First Information Report (FIR) towards unidentified individuals for culpable murder and negligence. A compensation of ₹5 lakhs was introduced by Uddhav Thackeray for the household of the deceased. While talking concerning the matter, Nashik collector Suraj Mandhre knowledgeable, “The supply tank that was set up in this hospital started leaking due to cork damage after which the pressure decreased and those on invasive ventilator did not receive adequate oxygen on time. 22 people have died.”
Leakage of medical oxygen on the Dr Zakir Husain Hospital, picture by way of PTI
He additional added, “After nearly an hour, the same tank has been started. It is being used to supply oxygen to the patients now. However, the decrease in pressure, earlier, led to the incident.” Ventilators within the hospital have been stopped for no less than half-hour because of the oxygen deprivation brought on by the tank leak. Reportedly, a non-public firm was tasked to hold out the upkeep of the oxygen tank.
When the leakage was observed, the hospital authorities contacted the Municipal Commissioner Kailash Jadhav and sought technical assist. At the time of the incident, the oxygen stage was round 25% within the storage tank. According to an official, the leakage occurred whereas oxygen was being crammed from a tanker to one of many tanks. After a video of the incident when viral on social media, Nashik police commissioner Deepak Pandey deployed ample police on the hospital premises to keep away from any untoward incident.
April: Hospital hearth accident in Virar takes 15 lives
On April 23 this yr, about 15 Coronavirus constructive sufferers died in a hearth accident on the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Vijay Vallabh Hospital. The mentioned hospital is situated in Virar, about 50 km away from town of Mumbai.
Reportedly, the hearth broke out at 3 am within the ICU, housing about 17 Coronavirus constructive sufferers at the moment. The Intensive Care Unit is situated on the 2nd ground of the hospital. On receiving info, the hearth service instantly rushed to the spot and extinguished it by 5:20 am. About 15 folks died within the hearth mishap. The remaining sufferers have been despatched to Dahisar Covid Centre and different hospitals in Virar.
Visuals of the aftermath of fireplace accident at Vijay Vallabh Hospital (Photo Credits: Indian Express)
An in depth investigation was ordered by Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope to find out whether or not all security norms have been adhered to by the hospital. Following public outcry, State CM Uddhav Thackeray introduced an ex gratia of ₹5 lac to the household of those that died. PM Modi additionally introduced an ex gratia of ₹2 lac to the household of the deceased. Ex-Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sought an audit of all hospitals in Maharashtra.
In July, the Arnala police filed a chargesheet whereby they accused hospital proprietor Bastimal Shah, CEO Dr Dilip Shah and chief administrative officer Dr Shailesh Pathak of not doing something, regardless of being nicely conscious of the potential of a hearth outbreak. The cost sheet additionally emphasised how there was a delay in reporting the hearth to the Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation hearth brigade. By the time the hearth autos reached the hospital, the second ground was utterly charred.
The investigators additionally discovered that the Vijay Vallabh hospital didn’t adhere to the rules laid down by the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act. Moreover, the hospital didn’t acquire a NOC from the municipality for the yr 2021-2022. At the identical time, no security company was appointed to hold out the hearth audit of the hospital premises.
April: Mumbra hospital hearth accident in April, reported 4 useless
On April 28 morning, a hearth broke out on the Prime Criticare hospital in Mumbra, resulting in the loss of life of 4 sufferers. The hospital fell underneath the jurisdiction of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) which had claimed that each one hospitals have been fire-resistant. The Hindu reported that the constructing was 16 years outdated and was served two notices on earlier events, the final one being on February 21. However, the Thana Municipal Corporation didn’t do any follow-up.
While talking concerning the matter, the hearth chief of Mumbra TM Mishra said “Although there was a fire exit on the premises, it was getting difficult to rescue, as the pathway was closed with storage material. We have served two notices to the hospital, however, there was no response.” The locals knowledgeable that the hearth exit was blocked and there was just one exit obtainable. “The hospital is congested and fire exit was obstructed with storage material. There is one exit for patients. So we had to break open the grille of a window at the back of the hospital. Moreover, there was only one staircase, the other was a ramp,” a neighborhood mentioned.
Fire broke out on the Prime Criticare hospital in Mumbra, picture by way of Indian ExpressThe Thane Municipal Corporation conceded that over 70% of the hospitals had been working in unlawful buildings. However, they’d not initiated a crackdown, maintaining in thoughts the Covid-19 scenario within the State and their necessity on the time of the pandemic. According to chief hearth officer Girish Zalke, the incident occurred as a result of panel overheating. “It is an accident that occurred due to electric faults on the premises,” he added.
November: Hospital accident hearth in Ahmednagar left 11 useless
Fires and untoward mishaps at hospitals in Maharashtra had develop into a dangerously widespread incidence. After a spate of accidents was reported at a number of hospitals earlier this yr, one other unlucky incident was reported from Ahmednagar. A serious hearth broke out on the District Hospital on November 6, killing no less than 11 coronavirus sufferers and leaving scores of others injured.
The hearth broke out on the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the District Hospital, the place no less than 25 sufferers have been admitted, in line with a report printed by India Today. Six of them suffered severe burn accidents within the incident. Prima facie studies instructed that {an electrical} short-circuit might need began the hearth. However, the precise reason behind conflagration might solely be decided after a radical probe into the matter is accomplished.
Fire erupted at Ahmednagar district hospital(Image Credits: Indian Express)
According to the sources, the hearth broke out on the COVID ward within the new constructing of the hospital at round Saturday (November 6) morning. The state authorities introduced had Rs 5 lakh compensation to the subsequent of kin of those that died within the hearth at Maharashtra hospital. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has expressed his condolences over the deaths and has additionally ordered a probe into the incident. The district collector Rajendra Bhosale has reportedly been requested to conduct an inquiry into the incident and submit the report inside every week.