New Delhi: Seven more patients have died overnight in a Nanded government hospital, former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan claimed Tuesday morning, which takes the toll to 31 in 48 hours.
Of the seven deaths, four were children, Chavan said in a post on X, urging the state government to fix responsibility.
Nanded’s Dr Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital was in the headlines Monday night after it reported 24 deaths between 30 September and 1 October, including that of 12 infants who were one to two days old.
नांदेडमध्ये मृत्यूचे थैमान सुरूच.
शासकीय वैद्यकीय महाविद्यालयाच्या रुग्णालयात कालपासून आणखी ७ रुग्णांचा दुर्दैवी मृत्यू. मृतकांमध्ये ४ बालकांचाही समावेश. राज्य सरकारने जबाबदारी निश्चित करावी.
— Ashok Chavan (@AshokChavanINC) October 3, 2023
In light of the recent tragedies, the healthcare system’s response to emergencies has come under scrutiny. The situation in Maharashtra is reminiscent of the challenges faced during extreme weather events, where hospitals struggled to manage the influx of patients suffering from heat-related illnesses. This highlights the need for better preparedness in our healthcare facilities, especially during crises like heatwaves. For more insights, read about the recent experiences of Delhi hospitals during a heatwave here.
Director, Medical Education and Research in Maharashtra, Dr Dilip Mhaisekar told news agency PTI that those 12 infants were referred to the Nanded hospital by local clinics.
He informed that a three-member expert committee from the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad) district had been formed to submit a report by 1 pm Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the hospital’s dean Shyamrao Wakode has rejected allegations of negligence and said the deceased were suffering from illnesses such as diabetes, liver and kidney failure. He also said some of them had arsenic and phosphorus poisoning, while others were being treated for snake bites. He said there was no shortage of medicines or doctors and that patients got proper care but were unresponsive to it.
Minister of Medical Education, Maharashtra, Hasan Mushrif said Tuesday that a thorough investigation would be carried out. “I have briefed Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis. I will visit the hospital and a committee of doctors will be formed, he said.
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