In a heartbreaking incident that has drawn national attention, a fire broke out on Friday at the neonatal intensive care unit of Maharani Laxmibai Medical College and Hospital in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. The disaster resulted in the tragic loss of ten newborns, all less than a year old, raising critical questions about fire safety protocols in India's hospitals, a recurring issue in the country.
Tragedy Strikes as Fire Claims Lives of Ten Newborns in Indian Hospital
Tragedy Strikes as Fire Claims Lives of Ten Newborns in Indian Hospital
A devastating fire at a neonatal unit in Jhansi highlights ongoing safety failures in India's healthcare sector.
The blaze reportedly started due to an electrical short circuit and quickly spread through the ward, which housed 49 infants receiving life support. Despite emergency efforts, the flames engulfed the area before adequate measures could be deployed. According to Sachin Mahur, chief medical superintendent of the hospital, while 17 infants were rescued and moved to safety, the speed of the fire made it impossible to save all the babies—a few of whom were about to be discharged.
This incident is reminiscent of previous hospital fire tragedies in India, including a separate fire in New Delhi in May, which claimed the lives of seven newborns. A grim record in 2011 saw 93 fatalities in Kolkata from a similar fire incident. Alarmingly, a recent study revealed that despite the establishment of new fire safety codes, effective implementation remains inconsistent, leading to frequent and tragic occurrences.
Images shared on social media show the devastated ward and grieving parents, underlining the human cost of systemic neglect in fire safety. In response to the tragedy, the government has pledged compensation of five hundred thousand rupees (approximately $6,000) to the affected families.
Experts point to a chronic underinvestment in fire services and safety infrastructure across India. As of 2019, parliamentary records indicated a severe shortfall in the number of fire stations, personnel, and equipment needed to effectively manage emergencies, exacerbating the risk for patients in vulnerable situations.
As India grapples with this tragic incident, calls for urgent reform and improved safety standards in healthcare facilities are louder than ever, echoing the catastrophic failures that continue to endanger lives.
This incident is reminiscent of previous hospital fire tragedies in India, including a separate fire in New Delhi in May, which claimed the lives of seven newborns. A grim record in 2011 saw 93 fatalities in Kolkata from a similar fire incident. Alarmingly, a recent study revealed that despite the establishment of new fire safety codes, effective implementation remains inconsistent, leading to frequent and tragic occurrences.
Images shared on social media show the devastated ward and grieving parents, underlining the human cost of systemic neglect in fire safety. In response to the tragedy, the government has pledged compensation of five hundred thousand rupees (approximately $6,000) to the affected families.
Experts point to a chronic underinvestment in fire services and safety infrastructure across India. As of 2019, parliamentary records indicated a severe shortfall in the number of fire stations, personnel, and equipment needed to effectively manage emergencies, exacerbating the risk for patients in vulnerable situations.
As India grapples with this tragic incident, calls for urgent reform and improved safety standards in healthcare facilities are louder than ever, echoing the catastrophic failures that continue to endanger lives.
