Three newborns died after a fire broke out in the NICU of Amravati District Women's Hospital. CM Devendra Fadnavis announced Rs 5 lakh aid for the families and ordered a high-level inquiry. 36 other infants were successfully rescued.
CM Fadnavis Orders Probe, Announces Aid
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday expressed sorrow over the deaths of three newborns in a fire at the Amravati District Women's Hospital, describing the incident as "extremely heart-wrenching". In a post on X, CM Fadnavis announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased. He further ordered a high-level inquiry into the tragedy and assured strict action against those responsible for the Amravati district women's hospital fire.
"The incident of the death of three children in the fire that broke out last night at the District Women's Hospital in Amravati is extremely tragic and heart-wrenching. We share in the grief of their families. Orders have been issued to the health administration to conduct a high-level inquiry into this incident. The strictest possible action will be taken against those responsible for this incident. Both the Health Minister and the Secretary have been instructed to visit Amravati today itself," said CM Fadnavis.
"The state government will provide financial assistance of 5 lakh rupees to the families of the deceased. Instructions have also been given to the Amravati District Collector to provide treatment to the injured children at government expense. Fortunately, 36 children were successfully rescued unharmed in this incident," added CM Fadnavis.
Details of the Tragic Incident
Earlier, a fire broke out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the District Women's Hospital in Amravati in the early hours of Monday. According to officials, the fire broke out at around 3.15 am in the NICU on the third floor, with a ventilator reportedly sparking and triggering the blaze.
Officials said the NICU had several sections catering to newborns requiring different levels of care. The fire reportedly originated in the section housing outborn babies. Six infants were subsequently shifted to a super-speciality hospital, according to officials. The NICU was housing premature and critically ill newborns at the time of the incident.
Hospital staff, including doctors and nurses, immediately launched an evacuation operation after the fire broke out and managed to rescue several infants from the affected unit. Three newborns, however, died in the incident, while other babies were shifted to other medical facilities for continued treatment.
Opposition Slams 'Systemic Negligence'
NCP leader of Sharadchandra Pawar faction Supriya Sule expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in the Amravati district women's hospital fire, describing the incident as a glaring example of systemic negligence. In a post on X, she further demanded a fire safety audit of all government and private hospitals across Maharashtra.
"In Amravati district's women's hospital, an explosion in a ventilator in the NICU department caused a fire, in which 3 newborns lost their lives, while a few others are in serious condition. This is an extremely heart-wrenching incident. Mothers and fathers eagerly await their baby, but to lose that child in such a manner--what ordeal must have befallen them is unimaginable. This is not merely an accident but a glaring example of negligence in the system. A thorough investigation of the entire matter must be conducted, and the strictest possible action must be taken against those responsible. Along with this, there is a need to conduct fire audits of all government and private hospitals in Maharashtra, as well as safety audits of medical equipment. I express my condolences to the families who have lost their children in this incident. Heartfelt tribute to the departed. May the injured newborns recover soon and return to their mother's lap--this is my prayer at the feet of God," said Sule.
Cause of Fire Under Investigation
The cause of the fire has not yet been conclusively established. While preliminary information has pointed towards an electrical malfunction involving a ventilator, authorities are expected to determine the precise sequence of events through the inquiry. (ANI)
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