A heart-wrenching incident occurred inside what is considered a safe haven – a hospital ward. Three innocent newborns lost their lives after a sudden fire broke out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Several other infants were critically injured in the accident that took place at around 3:30 am on Monday at the Government Women’s Hospital in Amravati district of Maharashtra. Badnera MLA Ravi Rana has officially confirmed the death of three children.
According to preliminary information, at the time when 39 newborns were undergoing treatment in the NICU ward on the third floor of the hospital, a ventilator exploded with a loud sound. As flames and toxic smoke engulfed the entire room, doctors and medical staff promptly rescued the other babies to safety. However, three babies died on the spot due to suffocation from the smoke, while six other babies who became seriously ill have been shifted to a super-speciality hospital for advanced treatment. Former MP Navneet Rana arrived at the hospital after receiving news of the incident to take stock of the situation.
The Maharashtra government has immediately ordered a high-level inquiry into the entire incident. State Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said, “We have ordered a full investigation into the incident. All necessary medical facilities are being provided to the injured and the government stands with the bereaved families.”
Government sources said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has also been informed about the entire matter. It may be mentioned that on January 9, 2021, 10 newborns had similarly died tragically in a fire that broke out in the NICU of Bhandara District Hospital in Maharashtra.
