The Bombay High Court has taken suo moto cognisance of conditions at two Maharashtra hospitals. The court demanded details about budget allocations and warned that if the deaths were caused by a lack of manpower or medicines, it would not be tolerated. The court has given a deadline of Friday for the submission of these details. Earlier, an advocate asked the court to intervene, which led to the court taking cognisance of complaints by doctors regarding shortages of beds, staff, and medicines.
In addition to the deaths in Nanded, the advocate’s letter also mentioned 18 fatalities at a government hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The hospital dean stated that there was no significant disparity between the number of deaths and admissions.
The High Court’s action came after a ground report by NDTV revealed appalling conditions at the Nanded hospital. The report showed pigs roaming freely on the hospital premises and depicted a lack of cleanliness and hygiene. Patients’ relatives were seen performing chores while plastic bottles and wrappers clogged drains.
A woman in the report complained about the lack of toilet facilities and the need to go outside for medicine. A contractual sweeper also highlighted the inadequate staff and the challenge of handling multiple wards alone.
Meanwhile, at the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar hospital, a video circulated online showed the dean cleaning a filthy toilet on the orders of an MP from the ruling Shiv Sena faction.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stated that the government is taking the deaths seriously and has ordered an inquiry. He denied any shortage of medicines or staff.
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