Ensure comprehensive steps to prevent fire incidents in hospitals: IMA

New Delhi: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) condoled the fire incidents at COVID-19 ICU wards of Government Civil Hospital in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar in which 12 coronavirus patients died and seven others were injured, said a press release from IMA.

The top medical body also demanded to conduct the safety audit and ensure adequate funds for the upkeep and maintenance of the equipment to ensure patient safety.

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This unfortunate incident that took place in a government hospital exposes the collective responsibility of the Government, administration, allied departments of engineering, and maintenance.

"However, it is extremely painful to know that the doctors and staff nurses who were involved in the medical care of the patients in the ICU have been accused with charges of negligence of the fire incident. Slapping doctors and nurses with charges under Sections 304 (punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 304 A (causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) by authorities has raised serious questions about the safety of professionals in the democratic country," said the release.

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