State govt suspends 3 hosp staff, terminates 3
MUMBAI: Maharashtra government has taken action against seven healthcare workers for negligence of duty in the Bhandara district hospital fire in which 10 newborns died on January 9. The investigation report stated that the fire broke because of a spark due to either voltage fluctuation or internal insulation wear-out in the control panel of the baby warmers in the outborn ward. It stated that based on the forensic report, three infants died of the shock due to burns while seven others suffocated from the smoke.
Chief minister (CM) Uddhav Thackeray had announced a probe by a committee headed by Nagpur divisional commissioner Sanjeev Kumar and had assured strictest action against those found responsible. The committee submitted its report to health minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday. Tope announced the action after a marathon meeting with department officials and in consultation with the CM and deputy CM Ajit Pawar on Thursday.
He said that the paediatrician in the sick newborn care unit (SNCU), Dr Sushil Ambade, two staff nurses Smita Ambilduke and Shubhangi Sathawane have been terminated from service for negligence in duty. Additionally, district civil surgeon Dr Pramod Khandate, medical officer on duty Dr Archana Meshram and in-charge nurse Jyoti Bharaskar have been suspended. Additional civil surgeon Dr Sunila Bade has been transferred to a non-executive post. “A committee under Ramaswami N, commissioner, family welfare, and director, National Health Mission, will review the steps needed for the upkeep of the hospitals, and submit a report in 15 days. We will chalk out an action plan for the proper maintenance of the hospitals,” Tope said. He added that the government has released ₹1 crore to take steps to get the out-born baby ward at the Bhandara hospital functional again.