This story is from January 22, 2021

Three fired, four suspended for Maharashtra hospital blaze that killed 10 babies

Nearly two weeks after the Bhandara fire incident, in which 10 newborns died at the district hospital, the public health department has ordered action against seven staffers of the hospital, including suspension of the district civil surgeon.
Three fired, four suspended for Maharashtra hospital blaze that killed 10 babies
Public health minister Rajesh Tope said the incident has revealed lacunae in the system. A committee has been set up to conduct an audit and suggest the way ahead to ensure these incidents are not repeated
MUMBAI: Nearly two weeks after the Bhandara fire incident, in which 10 newborns died at the district hospital, the public health department has ordered action against seven staffers of the hospital, including suspension of the district civil surgeon.
Public health minister Rajesh Tope said the department received the report of the inquiry committee led by divisional commissioner Sajeev Kumar late on Wednesday, and after going through the report, it has been decided to suspend civil surgeon Dr Pramod Khandate, medical officer on duty when the incident occured Dr Archana Mesharm and the sister incharge Jyoti Bharaskar.
The pediatrician of the Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) Dr Sushil Ambade, staff nurses who were supposed to be inside the SNCU Smita Ambilduke and Shubhangi Sathvane will be terminated from their service. These three were employed on contract basis. The additional civil surgeon, Dr Smita Bade, has been transferred to a non-executive post.
According to the report, the fire started due to a short circuit in the control panel of a radiant baby warmer inside the SNCU, which spread due to inflammable material. “The forensic report shows that three babies died due to burns while the other seven died due to suffocation. There was no nurse present in the ward at the time of the incident. They were seated a away from the ward and by the time they could react, the entire unit was filled with smoke,” said Tope.
Tope said the incident has revealed lacunae in the system and a committee under health director N Ramaswamy has been set up to conduct an audit and suggest the way ahead to ensure that these incidents are not repeated. “These buildings are constructed by the PWD and are handed over to the public health department to use. When this building was constructed in 2015, the PWD had to ensure that all fire safety compliance is met before the building is put to use,”said Tope. He also said that an audit of all the district hospitals will be done in the next 15 days, including the audit of all medical equipment.
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About the Author
Bhavika Jain

Bhavika Jain, senior correspondent with The Times of India. While her primary beat is the BMC, she also keep tab on stories relating to other beats like heritage, environment and health. When she is not scouting for news stories, she usually watch films or try out new places to eat.

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