»As Infant Deaths in Bhandara Fire Shock the Nation, Lessons Hospitals Need to Learn to Avert Loss of Lives
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As Infant Deaths in Bhandara Fire Shock the Nation, Lessons Hospitals Need to Learn to Avert Loss of Lives
Charred remains of furniture and other equipments at the Bhandara General Hospital, where a fire broke out, in Bhandara district, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. (PTI Photo)
This isn t the first time that India has seen such a tragic fire incident at a healthcare institution. According to a study, a total of 33 major hospital fire incidents were reported in India between January 2010 to December 2019.
President Kovind extends condolences to kin of Bhandara hospital fire victims ANI | Updated: Jan 09, 2021 10:47 IST
New Delhi [India], January 9 (ANI): President Ram Nath Kovind condoled the deaths of newborns at Bhandara hospital in a fire that broke out in the early hours of Saturday. I am deeply saddened by the untimely death of infants in a fire accident in Bhandara, Maharashtra. My heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their children in this heartbreaking incident, he tweeted.
As many as 10 children died in a fire that broke out at the Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of Bhandara District General Hospital at 2 am on Saturday.
Civil surgeon Dr Pramod Khandate told TOI that three to four babies were charred to death while the rest of the casualties happened as oxygen supply was cut.
10 children killed in fire at Bhandara District General Hospital in #Maharashtra, reports ANI https://t.co/5vrI1hATVF TOI Pune (@TOIPune) 1610155646000
Prima facie it appears that the fire broke out following a short circuit. A doctor and a nurse were on duty at the time of the incident.
The fire brigade was deployed and the blaze was brought under control.
Dr Khandate said some babies were delivered at the hospital while others were brought from outside.
New Delhi [India], January 9 (ANI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday expressed his condolences to the families of the children who lost their lives in the fire that broke out at Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of Bhandara District General Hospital. He also urged the Maharashtra government to provide assistance to the families of the injured and deceased.
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Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Saturday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of the deceased in the fire incident at Bhandara District General Hospital. As many as ten newborn babies died while 7 were rescued after a fire broke out at a hospital in Maharashtra s Bhandara.Â
According to the details, the fire was reported in the Special Newborn Care Unit of the hospital, in the wee hours on Saturday. All the infants were between a month and three months old, a doctor said. The fire broke out in the Bhandara district hospital at around 2 am. There were 17 babies in the unit and seven were rescued.