A shocking incident of 24 deaths, including 12 infants, in just 24 hours at the Shankarao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital in Nanded, Maharashtra, has sparked outrage and condemnation from opposition leaders and politicians.
The incident, attributed to an alleged scarcity of medicines, has prompted swift responses from prominent political figures, who are demanding immediate action to prevent such tragic incidents from recurring.
Sharad Pawar, the leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), characterized the incident as a glaring failure of government systems and called for a serious response to ensure patient safety. He cited a similar incident in Kalwa Hospital of Thane Municipal Corporation just two months ago, underlining the need for urgent and concrete measures to save innocent lives.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and criticized the BJP government for its priorities, questioning the allocation of funds for publicity over essential medicines for children. He asserted that the lives of the poor appear to hold no value in the eyes of the BJP.
Priyanka Gandhi, in a heartfelt message, prayed for peace for the departed souls and called for strict action against those responsible, as well as compensation for the affected families. The Congress Party also offered its condolences and emphasized the seriousness of the issue.
Priyanka Chaturvedi of Shiv Sena criticized the state government, describing the incident as “murder due to absolute negligence” and highlighting the government’s focus on influencer events and foreign trips instead of its fundamental duty to serve the state.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan stressed the need for immediate arrangements for medical staff and funds for the Nanded GMCH, citing the hospital’s capacity issues and the shortage of medical officers.
The dean of Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital, Dr. SR Wakode, provided some insights into the situation. He explained that among the 12 deceased infants, most were in the 0-3 day age group and had very low weight. He also mentioned that the hospital had received patients from neighboring districts and even from neighboring Telangana.
An official statement from the Nanded district collectorate indicated that the 24 deaths occurred between September 30 and October 1, with a breakdown of causes for the adult fatalities, including heart-related ailments, unknown poisoning, liver issues, kidney problems, pregnancy complications, and accidents.
This tragic incident has spurred calls for immediate investigations and actions to address systemic shortcomings and ensure the safety and well-being of patients in government hospitals.
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