Amravati newborn deaths: Maha govt orders suspension of five top health dept officials
Mumbai, Sep 9 (IANS) The Maharashtra government on Wednesday ordered the suspension of key health department personnel, including the Deputy Director of Health Services (Akola Circle), the Medical Superintendent of the Amravati Women’s Hospital, the Additional District Civil Surgeon (Amravati), the Administrative Officer, and the electrician of the hospital in connection with the death of three infants in the fire that broke out in the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of the Amravati District Women’s Hospital on August 24.
These health department personnel were held prima facie responsible for supervisory lapses.
The state government’s move comes after a high-level committee completed an inquiry.
Following the submission of the investigation report to the state government, the Public Health Department has directed strict action against those found responsible.
During the incident, 36 infants were successfully rescued and safely transferred to other hospitals.
According to the inquiry committee’s report, serious lapses were identified in technical inspections and equipment maintenance, including the failure to perform timely servicing of ventilators, non-functional fire alarms and sprinkler systems, and a locked fire pump house.
In light of the negligence, irresponsible behaviour, supervisory failures, and unpardonable carelessness revealed in the report, instructions have been issued to initiate disciplinary action against the concerned officers and staff under Rule 8 of the Maharashtra Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1979.
Administrative action has also been ordered against contractual employees, along with directives to penalise responsible officials from the Public Works Department (PWD).
The report found M/s AOV International LLP guilty, leading to directions for the company to be blacklisted.
Additionally, as prima facie defects were identified in the services provided by the Shilar Company, orders have been issued to expedite the forensic report and initiate blacklisting proceedings against it as well.
To prevent similar tragedies in the future, the state government has decided to significantly strengthen security and safety protocols across state-run hospitals.
Directives have been issued to install CCTV systems in all SNCUs and NICUs, as well as to make fire safety mock drills mandatory in every hospital.
Strict implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) regarding fire safety, electrical safety, and medical equipment maintenance has also been instructed.
Commissioner of Health Services Sanjay Katkar has been tasked with holding regular meetings with the PWD, electrical, fire, bio-technical, and maintenance departments to review hospital safety and exercise effective oversight on all necessary measures.
All District Collectors, Chief Executive Officers of Zilla Parishads, and Municipal Commissioners across the state have also been instructed to ensure that electrical and fire safety audits of all hospitals within their jurisdictions are completed within three months.
The Commissioner of Health Services has been asked to enforce fire safety audits, monitoring, and compliance reporting in both public and private hospitals through the respective District Civil Surgeons.
Meanwhile, the state government has also directed that awards and recognition be given to the brave officers and staff who risked their lives during the disaster to rescue the infants and move them to safety.
–IANS
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