24 Patients, including 12 children died in 24 hours in a hospital in Maharashtra’s Nanded

24 patients, including 12 children died at the Dr Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital (DSCGMCH), Nanded in Marathwada region of Maharashtra in 24 hours on Monday, due to shortage of staff and required medicines.
Out of the 12 adults, four died of heart attack, one of food poisoning, two of kidney failure, one from stomach ailment, three who were grievously injured in accidents and one woman due to complications resulting during delivery. 12 infants were referred to the hospital by some local private hospitals.
Dr Shyamrao Wakode, Dean of the Government Medical College told media that the hospital faced shortage of staff due to transfers. Besides, there was a shortage of medicines. The hospital was supposed to purchase medicines from the Haffkine Institute. But that did not happen. As such we purchased medicines from local stores at eleventh hour. Besides, the sanctioned budget for medicines is too short. There is a heavy inflow of patients from neighbouring districts including the ones in area bordering Telangana. There is only one hospital in 70-80 km area in Nanded. We always ensure that a patient does not lose his life for lack of essential medicines. In such situations we purchase medicines from local budget.
Dr Dilip Mhaisekar, Director, Medical Education and Research, said that a three-member expert committee from Aurangabad district has been formed with a mandate to submit a report by Tuesday.
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Congress leader Ashok Chavan who visited the hospital said that the situation is serious and around 70 other patients are critical. Replacement of a lot of nurses who were transferred has not been given. It is natural that medical staff and doctors are overburdened due to such a large number of patients. “I will speak to Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar seeking his intervention for funds”, he added.
In similar incident in a 24-hour period between August 12 and 13, a total of 18 patients had died in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hopsital in Kalwa in Thane district, creating a furore across the state.
NCP MP Supriya Sule said that the deaths were not accidental but were result of negligence. As such a thorough probe should be conducted and an adequate compensation should be given to the next of kin of those died.