Maharashtra: Death Toll Rises To 31 In Nanded Hospital, Cabinet To Decide On Forming Inquiry Panel. Top Points

Maharashtra Hospital Deaths: The total count of the deceased patients at the government hospital in Maharashtra's Nanded rose to 31 in 48 hours.

Representative Image: The death toll in the Nanded tragedy rose to 31 on Tuesday ( Image Source :PTI )

The toll at the government hospital in Maharashtra's Nanded, which reported 24 deaths in 24 hours, rose to 31 on Tuesday. Among these 31 patients admitted at Dr Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College & Hospital, 16 were infants or children, IANS reported.

In a post on X, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said the death toll continues unabated at the government hospital "and the government must fix responsibility" for the same. "Death toll continues in Nanded. 7 more patients unfortunately died at Government Medical College Hospital since yesterday. Four children are among the dead. The state government should fix the responsibility," Chavan posted on X.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Cabinet will discuss the Nanded hospital deaths in a meeting today. During the meeting, the Cabinet may decide on the formation of an inquiry committee over the tragedy, reported news agency ANI.

नांदेडमध्ये मृत्यूचे थैमान सुरूच.
शासकीय वैद्यकीय महाविद्यालयाच्या रुग्णालयात कालपासून आणखी ७ रुग्णांचा दुर्दैवी मृत्यू. मृतकांमध्ये ४ बालकांचाही समावेश. राज्य सरकारने जबाबदारी निश्चित करावी.

— Ashok Chavan (@AshokChavanINC) October 3, 2023

Under fire from the Opposition, the state government and the hospital management have maintained that there was no lack of medical supplies or staff at the hospital. The Opposition has alleged that the deaths occurred due to laxity of management and shortage of medical supplies.

Maharashtra: Nanded Hospital Deaths — Top Points

• On Monday, it came to light that 24 patients, including 12 infants, died at the Dr Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital, in Nanded. The deaths happened between September 30 and October 1. 
• Among the 12 adults who died, five were male and seven female. Four adults had heart-related ailments, one was suffering from an unknown poisoning, one had a liver issue, two were kidney patients, and one case was of complications during pregnancy. There were three accident cases.
• Among the deceased infants, four were brought to the hospital at the last stage, PTI quoted the Nanded district collectorate as saying.
• Maharashtra government officials told ANI that the Cabinet will discuss the Nanded hospital deaths in a meeting today. The Cabinet may decide on forming an inquiry committee on the incident.
• Maharashtra Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif visited the hospital in Nanded on Tuesday. "I have been told that there was no shortage of medicine or doctors, but still, such an incident took place. I will take stock of the incident and investigate the reason behind this. We have formed a committee to investigate this," Mushrif said earlier.
• The Congress slammed the government for the fatalities and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to end his "silence" on the tragedy. 
• Priyanka Gandhi Vadra sought harsh action against those guilty as well as compensation for the families of those affected.
• Congress leader and former chief minister Ashok Chavan said the dean of the hospital informed him of shortage of nursing and medical staffers and certain equipment not working.
• Chavan also stated that the hospital had 500 beds but around 1,200 patients were currently hospitalised.
• Dr Shyamrao Wakode, Dean of Govt Medical College Nanded said, "There was no shortage of medicines or doctors. Proper care was provided to the patients but their bodies did not respond to the treatment which caused deaths."