Twenty-four fatalities, including 12 newborns, have been reported in a government hospital in Nanded in the previous 24 hours, according to a top Maharashtra health official on Monday. "In the last 24 hours, 24 deaths have been reported at Nanded government Hospital and Medical College (GMCH). Out of these, 12 are infants who were referred here by some local private hospitals. The remaining deaths are of adults for various reasons," Dr Dilip Mhaisekar, Director, Medical Education and Research, Maharashtra, informed PTI.
"A three-member expert committee from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad) district has been formed with a mandate to submit a report by 1pm on Tuesday. I am personally visiting the hospital to review the situation," he stated.
Congress Asks PM Modi To Break His 'Silence' Over 24 Deaths In Maharashtra Govt Hospital
The Congress slammed the government on Monday for 24 fatalities in 24 hours at a government hospital in Nanded, Maharashtra, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to cease his "silence" on the tragedy.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, a senior party leader, sought harsh action against those guilty as well as compensation for impacted families.
Priyanka Gandhi wrote on X in Hindi that she had got "sad news" about the deaths of 24 people, including 12 newborns, due to a scarcity of medications from Maharashtra.
“May God grant peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families,” she said.
“Strict action should be taken against those responsible and compensation should be given to the affected families,” she added.
Taking to X, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stated: "The news of death of 24 people, including 12 newborns, due to shortage of medicines in the government hospital of Nanded, Maharashtra is extremely sad. I express my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families. The BJP government spends thousands of crores of rupees on its publicity, but there is no money for medicines for children? In the eyes of BJP, the lives of the poor have no value."
The Congress stated in a post on X that this is a very serious matter and requested strong action against those guilty.
“Our condolences to the families of the deceased. May God give them the strength to bear this sorrow,” it said.
In response to the incident, Congress leader and former chief minister Ashok Chavan stated that the dean of GMCH informed him about the 24 fatalities.
"Of the 24 who have died, 6-7 are infants and some are pregnant women. Another 70 patients are critical. Some deaths have taken place due to some unknown poisoning reasons," he said while citing details from the hospital dean.
Chavan stated that the Eknath Shinde administration must prioritise medical staffing and funding for the Nanded GMCH.
Chavan stated that the hospital has 500 beds, but that around 1,200 patients are currently hospitalised.
"It is natural that medical staff and doctors are overburdened due to such a large number of patients. I will speak to state deputy chief minister and finance minister Ajit Pawar seeking his intervention for funds," Chavan was quoted by PTI in its report.
The dean also stated that positions remain unfilled following the transfer of certain nurses, and that there is a scarcity of medical officers, according to the Congress leader.
"I have suggested to the state government that they can take the help of private doctors. It is up to the state government to implement it or not," he added.
When questioned if the Haffkine Institute had not donated drugs to the hospital, he stated that he was ignorant of such specifics.
In addition, during August 12 and 13, a total of 18 patients died at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hopsital in Kalwa, Thane district, causing outrage across the state.