Devastating Incident at Jhansi Medical College
A fire erupted late Friday night in the neonatal intensive care unit of a hospital in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, resulting in the heartbreaking deaths of ten newborns and injuring 16 others. At the time of the incident, the hospital was treating a total of 55 infants. Local official Bimal Kumar Dubey confirmed that emergency responders managed to rescue 45 babies, who are now receiving medical attention.
Swift Response and Government Assurance
As the flames rapidly engulfed the ward, the cause of the fire remained unknown. Brajesh Pathak, the deputy chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, visited the hospital on Saturday to meet with grieving families. He assured them of government support and vowed to launch a comprehensive investigation into the disaster. “We will identify those responsible for this tragedy and take strict action. The government stands with families during this difficult time,” he declared.
Challenging Rescue Efforts
When firefighters arrived on the scene, they found the ward filled with flames and smoke. Rescuers had to break windows to access the infants, with eyewitnesses noting that the rescue operations began approximately 30 minutes after the fire broke out, prolonging evacuation efforts. This delay heightened concerns about the effectiveness of the hospital’s emergency response.
Questions Raised Regarding Hospital Safety
The incident has sparked serious discussions about the hospital’s safety protocols. Although fire alarms were installed in the intensive care unit, parents and witnesses reported that these alarms did not activate during the fire. Hospital personnel reportedly responded only after they noticed smoke, raising troubling questions about preparedness. “If the safety alarm had worked, we could have acted sooner and saved more lives,” lamented Naresh Kumar, a parent who lost his child.
A Broader Issue of Fire Safety in India
This tragic event highlights the broader concern of fire safety in India, where building regulations and safety standards are frequently overlooked. Poor maintenance and inadequate firefighting equipment contribute to such disasters, leading to unnecessary loss of life. The Jhansi hospital fire serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for improved safety measures and enforcement across the country.
SOURCE: Ref Image from Irish Examiner
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