Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Sep 10: The Maharashtra Public Health Department has suspended five officials and employees following an inquiry into the August 24 fire at the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of Amravati District Women’s Hospital that killed three newborns, officials said.
Those suspended include Deputy Director of Health Services (Akola Circle) Sushilkumar Wakchaure, Medical Superintendent of Amravati Women’s Hospital Vinod Pawar, Additional District Surgeon Arun Salunkhe, the hospital’s administrative officer and its electrician.
The fire broke out around 3.15 am on August 24 in the neonatal unit on the third floor of the hospital, where 39 newborns were admitted. Thirty-six babies were rescued, while six critically affected infants were shifted to a nearby super-speciality hospital. Three newborns died.
A ventilator is suspected to have triggered the fire.
The inquiry committee, headed by Health Services Commissioner Sanjay Katkar, found serious lapses in maintenance and safety systems, according to officials. The committee said the ventilator required timely maintenance and repairs, while the fire alarm and sprinkler systems were not operational. The fire pump house was also found locked.
The inquiry also pointed to serious deficiencies in equipment maintenance and technical inspection.
"The officials have been held prima facie responsible for negligence, supervisory lapses and failure of control. Disciplinary action has been initiated against them under Rule 8 of the Maharashtra Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1979," the Public Health Department said in an official statement.
The government has also ordered action against contractual staff found responsible and directed the Public Works Department to take action against officials linked to the incident.
Two companies named in the inquiry have also faced action, including a move to blacklist them.
To prevent similar incidents, the government has ordered the installation of CCTV systems in SNCUs and neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and made fire-safety mock drills mandatory in all hospitals.
Government hospitals have also been directed to strictly implement standard operating procedures for fire and electrical safety as well as equipment maintenance.
District authorities and municipal commissioners have been given three months to complete electrical and fire-safety audits of hospitals under their jurisdiction, officials said.