Maharashtra Govt Hospital Reports 24 Deaths, Including 12 Newborns, in A Day

MUMBAI: Maharashtra has been rocked by the reports of the death of 24 patients, including 12 newborns, in the last 24 hours in a government hospital in Nanded.

While the opposition parties have alleged that the deaths have happened due to a lack of essential and lifesaving medicines, the state government has ordered a probe into the incident.

According to officials, Dr Shankarrao Chavan government medical college and hospital, Nanded has reported 24 deaths including 12 newborn babies in the 24 hours between Saturday and Sunday. Seventy patients are still critical and battling for their lives in the hospital.

Out of the 12 adults, who have succumbed during the last 24 hours, four have died of heart attack, one of food poisoning, two of kidney failure, one woman due to complications resulting during delivery, three were seriously injured from accidents, and one from stomach ailment.

The incident has been reported a couple of months after 18 deaths were reported at the Thane-based government-run hospital in August this year.

Nanded Hospital Superintendent Dr. S.R. Wakode confirmed that six male and six female newborns died in 24 hours.

On being asked about the allegations related to lack of medicines at the hospital, he said, "Some medicines were supposed to be purchased from Haffkine Institute but it did not happen, due to which there was some problem.

We always ensure that a patient does not lose his life due to a lack of essential medicines at our hospital. In such situations, we purchase medicines from the local budget.”

The mishap has evoked strong political reactions, with opposition parties blaming the state government for failing to maintain the supply of essential medicines.

NCP leader Supriya Sule demanded the resignation of the health minister over the incident. “The chief minister should intervene immediately by taking the resignation of the concerned minister,” she said on X.

“The death of 24 patients, including 12 newborns, in 24 hours, is not merely a coincidence. There has to be a detailed probe into each of these deaths. Considering the gravity of the situation, the chief minister and the (state) machinery should order an immediate inquiry into the incident,”

The callousness and negligence witnessed during the Thane incident have been seen again. Efforts are on to cover up each other’s faults, Sule added.

Health Minister Hassan Mushrif said that a committee will be formed to probe the incident. I will personally visit the hospital on Tuesday to take stock of the situation, he added.