Jhansi Hospital Fire: 10 Newborns Killed; Parents Protest, Investigations Underway
Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh – 10 newborn babies died while 16 others are battling for life in a massive fire that broke out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh late on Friday night.
The fire in the oxygen concentrator is suspected to have been caused by a short circuit. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said that the incident took place around 10:30 pm. At the time of the accident, 54 infants were admitted in the NICU. 44 babies were saved due to the prompt action of the hospital staff and emergency services. District officer Avinash Kumar confirmed the deaths and said that seven of the deceased have been identified, while DNA tests may be conducted to identify three others.
आज झांसी के महारानी लक्ष्मीबाई मेडिकल कॉलेज के नवजात शिशु गहन चिकित्सा कक्ष (एसएनसीयू वार्ड) में अग्निकाण्ड की हुई दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण दुर्घटना में घायल हुए बच्चों के स्वास्थ्य का कुशलक्षेम जाना एवं ईश्वर से नवजात बच्चों के शीघ्र स्वास्थ्य लाभ की कामना की तथा चिकित्सकों व अधिकारियों… pic.twitter.com/SPjhc8fU81
— Brajesh Pathak (@brajeshpathakup) November 16, 2024
Chaos and Demonstrations in the Hospital
The scenes from the spot were disturbing, where parents were seen worried for the safety of their children and many medical equipment were burnt in the fire. Parents who lost their child shared their sad experiences after the incident.
The situation turned tense on Saturday morning when the parents of the injured were not allowed to meet their children. It was said to be done to avoid confusion in identity. Angry relatives protested at the hospital and tried to block the road, but were stopped by the authorities.
Eyewitness Alleges Negligence
Amid the investigation, an eyewitness accused the hospital staff of negligence. Bhagwan Das, a resident of Hamirpur, whose child was admitted in the NICU, claimed that a nurse lit a matchstick while trying to connect the pipe of an oxygen cylinder, causing the fire to flare up immediately in the oxygen-rich environment.
“The fire spread throughout the ward in a matter of seconds,” Das said. He pulled out 3-4 children by wrapping them in the cloth around his neck and rescued more children with the help of others.
Questions on Safety Measures
Serious questions are being raised on the security arrangements of the hospital. Expired fire extinguishers were found in the ward and the fire alarm also did not ring, which delayed the rescue operation. However, the Uttar Pradesh government has denied any security lapse and claimed that a fire safety audit was conducted in February and a mock drill in June.
Deputy CM Pathak said, “If any lapse is found, strict action will be taken against those responsible.”
Government Response and Assistance
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh to the family of each deceased and ₹50,000 to the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced a compensation of ₹2 lakh to the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 to the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
The Chief Minister has ordered a three-tier probe through the health department, police and magisterial inquiry. He has directed senior officials and medical teams to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured children and submit a report within 12 hours.
Nation Expresses Grief
President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident. President Murmu called it “heartbreaking”, while PM Modi called it “painful” and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Investigation Report Awaited
The real cause of the incident will be revealed after the investigation report is released by Saturday evening. Meanwhile, the victim families are demanding justice and strict measures to prevent such incidents.
This tragic incident highlights the need for strict enforcement of safety measures in healthcare facilities, especially in intensive care units.
