Committee Completes Inquiry Into RIMS Fire
The incident was aggravated by using extinguishers instead of switching off the power supply: Reports
ADILABAD: The high‑level committee constituted to probe the fire incident at the SNCU ward of RIMS, Adilabad, has completed its inquiry and will submit a report to the state government.
Five infants died in the fire that broke out in an air‑conditioner which had been malfunctioning for months. Smoke spread in the ward when staff attempted to put out sparks with extinguishers.
Sources said the committee sought details on the status of the air‑conditioners, their repairs, installation dates and load regulation to maintain required temperatures in the ward. Project Officer of ITDA, Utnoor, Manda Makarandu, who chaired the committee, reportedly interacted with a victim’s family in Utnoor and recorded their statements. The committee also sought explanations from Director Jai Singh Rathod and examined alleged negligence by authorities.
Members noted that the SNCU ward was overcrowded and lacked adequate safety measures for emergency evacuation. They also observed that RIMS has a separate Medical Superintendent for the hospital, while the Director of the Medical College acts as in‑charge for both the hospital and super‑speciality wing, with two Deputy Superintendents and four RMOs appointed.
District administration is considering appointing a separate medical superintendent for RIMS Hospital for effective functioning, though RIMS is semi‑autonomous. Local leaders and officials discussed the issue with senior Health Department officials during Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha’s recent visit to RIMS.
