Amravati Hospital Fire: 7-Member Panel to Deliver Report in 8 Days

A seven-member committee has been formed to investigate the tragic fire at Amravati's District Women’s Hospital, which resulted in the deaths of three newborns, Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar announced on Monday. The panel, led by Public Health Services Commissioner Sanjay Katkar, aims to deliver its findings within eight days.

Comprehensive Investigation Into Fire Incident

The fire broke out in the hospital's Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) early Monday morning, leading to the suffocation deaths of the infants. Minister Abitkar described the incident as "unfortunate" and assured that the committee would thoroughly examine all aspects of the tragedy to identify the exact cause and any irregularities. The panel will also recommend measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

"We had started a very good hospital here to serve patients. Unfortunately, today's incident has forced us to take stock of shortcomings and act," Abitkar stated. The committee's report will be made public, and those found responsible will face stringent action, he added.

Government Response and Support

In response to the tragedy, a meeting has been scheduled at Mantralaya to discuss fire safety protocols in government hospitals, alongside a comprehensive review of fire audits. Abitkar met with the families of the victims, offering condolences and announcing financial assistance of Rs5 lakh for each bereaved family. Additionally, the state government will cover the treatment costs for the 36 newborns who were rescued and transferred to other hospitals.

The investigation will also scrutinize the role of a Nagpur-based company that supplied the ventilator alleged to have exploded, causing the fire. If found culpable, the company will be blacklisted, Abitkar warned.

Broader Implications for Hospital Safety

This incident has prompted a broader examination of safety standards in healthcare facilities across the state. The government is keen to ensure that such tragedies are not repeated, underscoring the importance of rigorous safety audits and compliance with fire safety regulations.

Following his visit to the affected hospital, Abitkar also toured nearby facilities—Hope Hospital, Murke Hospital, Parijat Hospital, and PDMC Hospital—to check on the condition of the transferred newborns. The health minister emphasized the urgency of addressing any systemic issues uncovered by the committee's investigation.