Panel submits 50-page report on Bhandara hospital fire, staff faces action

Nagpur: Exactly 10 days after the tragedy, divisional commissioner Sanjeev Kumar-led expert committee submitted its inquiry report on the Bhandara district general hospital fire, which claimed the lives of 10 premature babies at its Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU). The about 50-page report has fixed the responsibility for the heart-wrenching incident mainly on the erring staff, sources said.
Kumar told TOI, “The report was submitted to the government on Tuesday.” He refused to divulge further details.
TOI has learnt that the panel made around 15 recommendations, including who was at fault for the horrific accident which left three of the 10 bodies badly charred. The remaining seven died of suffocation as smoke clouds engulfed the SNCU for a couple of hours after the fire.
The panel report points to lapses from the hospital staff, including nurses who were expected to be inside the SNCU. “Had they been inside, the tragedy may have been averted,” sources said.
They added the report also mentioned lack of coordination and supervision issues at the hospital. “Two top officials are also likely to face the action,” sources added.
The action including serving of show cause notices, suspensions, or filing of FIR would be decided based on the panel findings by the government in the next couple of days.
The panel has pointed out all the mistakes leading to the fateful night of January 9 — what should have been done, and what was not done as per norms.
The recommendations about improving overall system are intended to be a benchmark for all government hospitals to ensure highest levels of fire safety.
The report was handed over to principal secretary Pradeep Vyas. Director of health services Dr Sadhana Tayade, who had been in the city and Bhandara since the start of inquiry, handed over the report to the government on her return.
After conducting preliminary inquiry with hospital staff and spot inspection, the panel was in Nagpur, writing the report since January 15. The deliberations went on till late night hours for the last three days, sources said.
Bhandara police is awaiting the report submission to initiate action. The police are already probing the case after registering Sec 174 under CrPC for accidental death.
The expert committee was given an extended deadline till January 17.
GMCH paediatric head Dr Dipty Jain, PWD representative, Bhandara collector’s representative and deputy chief fire officer (Mumbai) Rajendra Choudhary have largely conducted the questioning and spot inspection at Bhandara. Panel chief Kumar has visited the hospital a couple of times. BMC deputy commissioner (fire safety) Prabhat Rahangdale too had visited Bhandara and submitted his inputs.