3 Newborn Deaths: Probe Flags Fire Safety Lapses at Amravati Hospital
Thirty-six other infants undergoing treatment in the SNCU were safely shifted to other hospitals.
Mumbai: The inquiry into the August 24 fire at the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of Amravati District Women’s Hospital, which claimed lives of three newborns, has found serious lapses, including poor maintenance of ventilators, non-functional fire alarms and sprinkler systems, a locked fire pump house and deficiencies in the maintenance and technical inspection of equipment.
Based on the findings, the Maharashtra government has ordered the suspension of five officials and disciplinary action against others for negligence, supervisory failures and dereliction of duty, officials said. It has also initiated action against private firms allegedly responsible for lapses in the maintenance and safety systems.
The fire, which broke out around 3.30 am on August 24, claimed the lives of three newborns. Thirty-six other infants undergoing treatment in the SNCU were safely shifted to other hospitals.
The fire reportedly erupted after a ventilator exploded on the third floor of the hospital, where all 39 newborns were receiving treatment. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had described the incident as heart-breaking and ordered a high-level inquiry into the tragedy.
The state government subsequently constituted a seven-member committee headed by Health Commissioner Sanjay Katkar to investigate the incident. The committee submitted its report to the government, following which action was ordered against officials and private agencies, officials said.
The Public Health Department has directed disciplinary proceedings against officials and employees for negligence, irresponsible conduct, failure of supervisory control and “inexcusable dereliction of duty” under Rule 8 of the Maharashtra Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1979.
A senior official said the five officials ordered to be suspended were the Deputy Director of Health Services, Akola Division; the Medical Superintendent of Amravati Women’s Hospital; the Additional Civil Surgeon, Amravati; the hospital’s administrative officer; and an electrician at Amravati Women’s Hospital.
“An order has also been issued to take administrative action against contractual employees. Instructions have also been given to take action against officials of the Public Works Department (PWD) responsible for the incident,” the official said.
The committee also found M/s AOV International LLP responsible for certain deficiencies. The state government has initiated proceedings to blacklist the company. Another firm, Shilar Company, was found prima facie responsible for certain lapses. The government has sought an urgent forensic report and directed authorities to initiate blacklisting proceedings against the company based on the findings.
Following the incident, the state government has announced a series of safety measures for government hospitals across Maharashtra. CCTV cameras will be installed in SNCUs and neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), while regular fire safety mock drills will be made mandatory.
The government has also directed strict implementation of standard operating procedures covering fire safety, electrical safety and maintenance of medical equipment.
Katkar has been instructed to hold regular meetings with the PWD, electrical, fire safety, biomedical and maintenance departments to monitor safety measures in hospitals, officials said.
All district collectors, chief executive officers of Zilla Parishads and municipal commissioners have been directed to complete comprehensive electrical and fire safety audits of hospitals under their jurisdiction within three months.
