24 patients, including 12 newborns, die in Nanded Hospital

24 patients, incl. 12 newborns, died in 24 hrs at Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Govt. Med. College & Hospital, Nanded due to lack of meds & medical help. Family members allege inadequate treatment & facilities. CM Shinde to probe & take action. NCP's Sule calls for resignations & compensation.

Twenty-four patients, including 12 newborns, have lost their lives in the last 24 hours at Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital in Nanded town, allegedly due to lack of medicines and medical help. 

The incident, which follows closely on the heels of a similar incident in Thane, where 18 patients died in a single night, has once again raised serious concerns about the State’s health infrastructure.

The deaths are attributed to a shortage of medicines and medical assistance, exacerbated by inadequate healthcare facilities and a lack of medical staff and sudden influx of patients from neighbouring districts of Parbhani, Hingoli and Yavatmal. 

Attempting to downplay the severity of the situation, hospital dean Dr. S.R. Wakode claimed that many of the deceased were outpatients who were brought to the hospital in a critical condition.

“Six male and six female newborns died in the last 24 hours… 12 adults because of snake bites and other ailments. Due to recent transfer of staff there was shortage of manpower at the hospital, which was difficult for us to manage due to sudden surge in patients,” he said. 

Dr. Wakode also revealed that the Haffkine Institute, responsible for the procurement of medicines all across Maharashtra, stopped the supply of medicines to all State-run hospitals which has also added to the difficulty for the authorities. “But, we tried to manage and buy the medicines locally, but it was not enough. Since this is the only major hospital in the radius of 60-70 km, we are under a severe load and our sanctioned budget is not enough to buy medicines locally,” he said. 

Family members of the deceased alleged that a lack of medical facilities and inadequate treatment led to the deaths. “My newborn was not treated well and clearly there is lack of doctors and medical facilities here. The hospital is responsible for the deaths,” said a family member of one of the deceased.