AMRAVATI: Over two weeks after three newborn babies died in a fire at the Amravati District Women’s Hospital, the Maharashtra government on Wednesday ordered the suspension of four officials and a technician.The said decision has been taken after a high-level inquiry committee found them prima facie responsible for negligence and supervisory lapses, news agency PTI reported.The government also ordered the blacklisting of two private companies in connection with the incident.The inquiry found serious lapses, including failure to maintain and repair ventilators as required, non-functional fire alarm and sprinkler systems, a padlocked fire pump house, and major faults in equipment maintenance and technical inspections.The suspended officials include the deputy director of health services in Akola division, the medical superintendent of Women’s Hospital Amravati, the additional district surgeon of Amravati, the administrative officer and the hospital’s electrical technician.They were found prima facie responsible for supervisory lapses.Three newborn babies died and 36 others were rescued after a fire broke out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the District Women’s Hospital on August 24.According to police and health officials, the fire was triggered by an explosion in a ventilator in the outborn infants’ section of the NICU, PTI reported.A statement issued by the state public health department said the high-level inquiry into the incident has been completed and strict action was ordered against those found guilty based on the report.The inquiry committee said the lapses amounted to negligence, irresponsible conduct, supervisory failures and inexcusable disregard.The department has directed disciplinary proceedings under Rule 8 of the Maharashtra Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1979, against the concerned officials and staff, PTI reported.Administrative action has also been ordered against contractual employees, while directions have been issued to take action against officials responsible for the accident.The inquiry committee also found M/s AOV International LLP at fault and ordered that the firm be blacklisted.It found prima facie faults in the services of another private company and ordered its blacklisting based on a forensic report that is required to be obtained immediately.To prevent similar incidents, the government said it would strengthen safety measures in state-run hospitals, PTI reported.The measures include installing CCTV systems in Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) and NICUs and making fire-safety mock drills mandatory in all hospitals.Directions were also issued to strictly implement SOPs covering fire safety, electrical safety and maintenance of medical equipment.Health services commissioner Sanjay Katkar has been instructed to hold regular meetings with public works, electricity, fire services, bio-technical and maintenance repair units to review hospital safety and ensure effective implementation of necessary measures.Accordingly, all district collectors, Zilla Parishad CEOs and municipal commissioners across Maharashtra have been directed to complete electrical and fire safety audits of all hospitals in their jurisdictions within three months.The health services commissioner has also been asked to ensure fire audits, monitoring and compliance reporting in both public and private hospitals through district surgeons.Meanwhile, the government has directed that officials and staff who promptly moved the infants to safety during the incident and performed their duties despite risking their own lives be felicitated.(With agency inputs)
