Jhansi Hospital Fire: Outrage Over Officials Making Arrangements For VIP Visit.
A noxious fire broke out in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, late Friday night that claimed the lives of 10 newborns and left 16 others in critical condition.
Meanwhile, a video of arrangements are being made for the VVIP visit of a minister from Lucknow to the affected premises has been circulating online.
This was last night at Jhansi Medical College where 10 newborns were charred to death following a fire in the NICU ward. Arrangements are being made for the VVIP visit of a minister from Lucknow. pic.twitter.com/Ola7dJCnvk
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) November 16, 2024
This has sparked outrage blaming how the government be so irresponsible, pondering on trivial things rather than taking necessary measures as users took this to social media.
The fire incident has raised concerns about the safety and management of medical facilities in Uttar Pradesh with many calling for systemic reforms to prevent such tragedies.
However, UP’s deputy chief minister, Brajesh Pathak who also happens to be the state’s health minister has now taken cognizance of the video.
Brajesh Pathak, UP’s deputy chief minister who also happens to be the state’s health minister has taken cognizance of the video. pic.twitter.com/2fEZHF85Sl
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) November 16, 2024
Following this, a user wrote on X: “Encouraging that he’s taken cognizance but it perhaps won’t make much of a difference as bureaucracy’s raison d’etre, like the British Raj, is to keep their political masters in good humour! Citizens are a distant second, except those politically well connected.”
This video is from the Jhansi medical college last night.
You’d think authorities were marking the area for investigation purposes or keeping public away.
Wrong. They’re making arrangements for a VIP who was coming to oversee from Lucknow
— T O K Y O (@tokyyo_says) November 16, 2024
what’s needed of any government, even hospitals is lacking @
basics norms ??? Dangerous for the common public !!!— MiXD (@MiXD07) November 16, 2024
Tragic and heartbreaking: 10 newborn babies lost their lives in a fire at the neonatal ward of Maharani Lakshmi Bai Medical College, #Jhansi, #UttarPradesh. How could such a sensitive area lack adequate protection? Who’s accountable now? The @myogiadityanath govt must investigate… pic.twitter.com/jpjq1GD6IQ
— Tanmoy Ghosh (@Tanmoy_Fetsu) November 15, 2024
The blaze started around 10:45 pm and authorities suspect an electrical short circuit as the cause. At the time of the fire, 54 children were admitted to the NICU and officials managed to rescue 44 newborns during the emergency response.
There is a fire broke out in a government medical college in Jhansi, UP.
10 New Born were burnt to death in a fire in the children’s ward.
Why always Government Hospitals? Now politicians come and cry. Nothing changed #Jhasi#JhasiHospital pic.twitter.com/2ZgM8synJM— Vजय Sharमाँ (@vij7227) November 16, 2024
Arrangements before visiting of VVIP in Jhansi, VVIP culture should not be avoided in any situation. 😡pic.twitter.com/Isj8y09td1
— Sugandh Gupta (@sugandhgupta08) November 16, 2024
The Uttar Pradesh government has announced assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the parents of the deceased babies and Rs 50,000 each to the family members of the injured babies.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolences and ordered a three-tier probe into the incident. The investigation will be conducted by the Divisional Commissioner of Jhansi, the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and the fire department with a magisterial inquiry to ascertain the cause and fix accountability.
The Chief Minister has directed officials to submit a report within 12 hours and assured strict action against those found guilty of negligence.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak confirmed that accountability will be ensured, and necessary reforms will follow to prevent such incidents.
Also, read| “Government Negligence”: Rahul Gandhi On Jhansi Hospital Fire That Killed 10 Newborns
The fire is believed to have started in the interior part of the NICU where the more critical patients were kept. Parents and family members were left devastated with many gathering outside the ward, struggling to comprehend the scale of the tragedy.
Some parents reported being unable to recognise their children’s charred bodies, while others were in frustration at not being informed about the situation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased. He also stated that the local administration is making every possible effort for relief and rescue.
The opposition has demanded a thorough investigation and strict legal action against those responsible for the tragedy. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his condolences to the bereaved families, calling the incident “extremely painful.”
Also, read| At Least 10 Children Killed In Jhansi Hospital Fire
Other leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Akhilesh Yadav have also expressed shock and demanded justice for the victims.
The state-run Maharani Laxmibai Medical College, established in 1968 is one of the largest government hospitals in Uttar Pradesh’s Bundelkhand region.
The hospital has informed that 52 to 54 children were admitted at the time of the incident and efforts are ongoing to save the lives of the 16 injured children.
