With more than 30 deaths reported at Nanded’s Dr Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital in Maharashtra between September 30 and October 3, the Bombay High Court took suo motu cognisance of the case.
Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay remarked, “If there are deaths due to lack of manpower, shortage of medicines, it will not be tolerated at all.” He also asked advocate general Birendra Saraf to explain the role of the state government in the case.
Family members of the deceased have filed a case of culpable homicide against the hospital dean.
Over the past few months, repeated instances of negligence in government hospitals have been alleged across various parts of Maharashtra. After the developments in Nanded hit the headlines, several opposition leaders clamoured against at least eight deaths reported at a hospital in Aurangabad.
Similarly, 18 deaths were reported in August at the Thane Municipal Corporation-run hospital in Kalwa within 18 hours. Following this, chief minister Eknath Shinde himself paid a visit to the hospital, which is in his home constituency.
With several such cases being reported across the state, allegations have been levelled that the health infrastructure in Maharashtra has been collapsing because most government hospitals do not have basic infrastructure.
At Nanded, it was alleged that there were not enough doctors, nurses, medicines, and equipment required at the hospital.
In all such cases, including Kalwa and Nanded, the state government has initiated inquiries.
However, sources and officials have countered these charges, stating that on average 15-17 deaths are reported daily at the hospitals.
“On some days, due to unprecedented situations, cases reported are higher, which is why there are fluctuations in the death rate. Of 24 deaths reported in 24 hours, 12 were minors and 12 adults. Of these, 4 children were brought in just a few hours earlier,” said hospital authorities at Nanded.
Of the cases reported in Nanded, some were of kidney ailments and snakebites.
Sources also said that these hospitals are tertiary centres, which cater to large populations and large areas, thus increasing the flow of patients. It was mentioned that the hospital in Nanded had 1,200 patients when the actual bed capacity was 500.
The ruling side has alleged that opposition leaders have been raising this issue ahead of elections with a political agenda.
After the deaths were reported in Kalwa, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Jitendra Awhad held protests outside the hospital. And following the Nanded deaths, Congress leader Ashok Chavan led a campaign to highlight the issue.
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