In recent weeks, a government hospital in Maharashtra’s Nanded city, which reported 31 patient deaths in a span of 48 hours in late September and early October, has reported another 108 deaths in the last eight days. According to the details, 11 patients, including an infant, died at the hospital in the past 24 hours.
Hospital authorities have strongly denied any shortage of medicines as the cause behind these fatalities. Dr. Shyam Wakode, the Dean of Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital, reiterated the statement, stating, “We have ample medicine stocks at the facility, and the staff is providing assistance to all patients. No patient has died due to a shortage of medicines; they succumbed to their critical conditions.”
The situation has raised questions and concerns among the public, as this hospital had previously reported 31 patient deaths in a span of 48 hours in late September and early October. Amid these developments, Congress leader and former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan pointed out a staffing issue within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where over 60 infants were admitted, but only three nurses were available to care for them.
Dr. Shyamrao Wakode, the hospital’s dean, explained that many of the deceased patients had been transferred from private facilities after their conditions worsened. Some were from economically disadvantaged families who couldn’t afford private hospital care.
Chief Minister Shinde highlighted that the government takes the issue seriously and pledged to investigate the incidents, promising action against those found responsible. Initial information has refuted claims of medicine shortages and inadequate medical staff in the hospital. Medical education minister Hasan Mushrif also promised to take serious action if failures were found among doctors or medical staff.
The situation has caught the attention of the Bombay High Court, which has taken suo motu awareness of the deaths in government-run hospitals in Nanded and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar districts, seeking more details from the Maharashtra government.
As investigations continue, the circumstances surrounding these patient deaths remain a topic of public concern, emphasizing the need for clarity and accountability in healthcare.
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