Amravati Hospital Fire: 5 officials suspended over safety lapses

Amravati: Five officials have been suspended and action has been initiated against two agencies following a high-level inquiry into the August 24 fire at the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of Amravati District Women’s Hospital, which claimed the lives of three newborns.

The probe found serious lapses in the maintenance of medical equipment and the hospital's fire-safety systems, including non-functional fire alarms and sprinklers. 

The fire broke out in the SNCU while newborns were receiving critical care. Three infants died in the incident, while 36 other newborns were evacuated from the unit and shifted to other hospitals. 

The inquiry committee, constituted by the Maharashtra government and headed by the Health Services Commissioner, examined the circumstances surrounding the fire and the safety arrangements in place at the government-run hospital.

The committee has submitted its report to the state government, following which disciplinary proceedings have been ordered against those held responsible for the lapses.

Five officials, including senior health and hospital administration personnel and an electrician, have been suspended and held responsible for lapses in supervision. Proceedings under Rule 8 of the Maharashtra Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1979, have also been ordered against officials and employees over alleged negligence, irresponsible conduct and failure of supervisory control. Action has also been recommended against Public Works Department personnel found responsible for the lapses.

The state government has also initiated the process of blacklisting two companies in connection with the inquiry findings. One equipment supplier has been accused of lapses in relation to the hospital equipment, while a forensic report has been sought from another medical equipment manufacturer and supplier before further action is taken.

According to the Daily, in response to the findings, the government has ordered CCTV cameras in all SNCUs and NICUs across government hospitals and made fire-safety mock drills mandatory. It has further directed hospitals to strictly follow standard operating procedures covering fire and electrical safety as well as medical equipment maintenance. District-level authorities have been given three months to complete electrical and fire-safety audits of hospitals under their jurisdiction.

The government has also decided to felicitate officials and employees who helped evacuate the newborns during the fire, recognising their prompt response during the emergency.