Mumbai: The Maharashtra government is facing severe criticism for the high number of deaths at a hospital in Nanded within a span of 72 hours. In response, the government is planning to shift the blame onto private healthcare units in the area that were closed for an extended weekend, according to sources.
Following the significant death toll at the state-run hospital, the Bombay High Court demanded a detailed response from the government of Eknath Shinde. The court also expressed its dissatisfaction with the shortage of medicines, beds, and staff at the healthcare units.
Sources indicate that the Maharashtra government is likely to inform the court today that private hospitals near the Dr. Shankarrao Chavan government medical college and hospital in Nanded had a limited number of staff due to consecutive holidays. This led to critical cases, including newborns, being referred to the government hospital, resulting in the increased death count. In fact, the state government is expected to assert in its affidavit that at least 10 newborns died due to the negligence of private healthcare units at the Nanded hospital.
Medical Education Minister Hasan Mashrif explained to the media how the state government plans to address the situation in court. He stated, “Ten of the newborns who died had been brought to the state-run hospital from private hospitals. And they were in a very serious condition when they were brought in.” Mashrif further shared that a committee has been formed by the government to conduct an audit of each death, and all relevant information will be presented in court.
Meanwhile, the government led by Eknath Shinde denies any shortage of medicines or doctors at the Nanded hospital. However, on-ground reports paint a different picture. News channel NDTV discovered pigs roaming on the hospital premises and drains blocked with plastic bottles. Relatives of deceased patients claimed they had to purchase medicines from outside, and no senior doctors were attending to the patients.
The dean of the hospital and another doctor have been charged with culpable homicide following allegations of negligence in the death of a newborn. Dr. SR Wakode, the acting dean, previously filed a police complaint against Shiv Sena MP Hemant Patil, who allegedly forced him to clean a filthy toilet at the hospital. Viral videos showed Patil instructing the dean to clean the toilet. Patil now faces charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.