“Negligence Under Fire: Jhansi Hospital Tragedy Raises Alarming Questions on Safety Measures”
Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, Nov 16 A devastating fire in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi claimed the lives of at least 10 children, while 16 others are critically injured and undergoing treatment. The incident occurred late Friday night around 10:45 pm, reportedly due to an electrical short circuit, according to District Magistrate (DM) Avinash Kumar.
The fire broke out in the children’s ward of the medical college, causing widespread panic and chaos as parents and staff scrambled to save the young patients. The DM confirmed that the children in the outer section of the NICU were rescued, along with some from the inner section.
“Prima facie, we have reports of 10 fatalities. Rescue efforts saved many children, but 16 remain critical,” said DM Kumar.
Over 50 Children in the NICU at the Time
Divisional Commissioner Bimal Kumar Dubey revealed that approximately 30 children were in the interior section of the NICU during the fire, most of whom were successfully evacuated. However, the fire left 16 children severely injured, requiring immediate medical attention. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sudha Singh confirmed that there were over 50 children admitted to the NICU when the fire broke out.
Firefighters and district officials promptly reached the scene to control the blaze and assist with rescue operations. Distressing visuals from the site showed police and medical staff evacuating panic-stricken patients and their families as the fire raged.
Families Grieve Their Loss
A couple from Mahoba district was seen mourning the loss of their newborn child. The mother, overwhelmed with grief, shared that her baby was born just three days ago, on November 13. “My child has been killed in the fire,” she said tearfully.
Government Response
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognisance of the tragedy, instructing district officials to provide proper care to the injured and conduct a thorough investigation. The administration has assured that the cause of the fire will be probed, and measures will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
Similar Incidents in Uttar Pradesh
This tragic incident adds to the growing list of hospital fires in Uttar Pradesh. In recent years, several hospitals have reported fires, often attributed to short circuits, highlighting the urgent need for improved fire safety measures in healthcare facilities. Notable incidents include:
- In August 2021, a fire at a COVID-19 ward in Lucknow claimed eight lives.
- In 2019, a similar fire in Kanpur’s government hospital led to multiple injuries but no fatalities.
These incidents underline systemic negligence in maintaining fire safety standards, especially in critical wards such as NICUs. With the Jhansi tragedy, questions are again being raised about the preparedness of medical institutions to handle emergencies.
