Home / Disasters and Accidents / Hospital Lapses Led to Newborn Deaths
Hospital Lapses Led to Newborn Deaths
26 Aug
Summary
- Fire and electrical audits had expired before the deadly blaze.
- Hospital administration ignored repeated renewal notices.
- Three newborns died from smoke inhalation during the incident.
Tragedy struck Amravati District Women's Hospital where three newborns lost their lives in a devastating fire incident. Investigations have subsequently uncovered significant failures in the hospital's safety protocols.
Officials from the Amravati Municipal Corporation revealed that crucial fire and electrical audits for the hospital had expired just days prior to the blaze. Despite repeated notifications sent via WhatsApp to the hospital administration between August 16 and August 20, urging renewal, no action was taken before the fire occurred early Monday morning.
The fire superintendent questioned the initial reports of a ventilator blast, suggesting a short circuit as a more probable cause due to the continuous operation and maintenance needs of electrical equipment in intensive care units. Hospital authorities acknowledged the overdue electrical audit, stating that renewal processes were initiated but incomplete when the tragedy unfolded.
The fire originated in a Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) wing, where eight infants were admitted. While staff and fire personnel worked to evacuate the newborns, three tragically succumbed to smoke inhalation.
