Maharashtra: Police deny allegations of medical negligence in Nanded hospital deaths

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A top police official of Maharashtra's Nanded district on Thursday said that the case registered against the Dean and medical officer does not pertain to "medical negligence". Earlier an FIR was registered against the Dean and the medical officer following scores of deaths in Dr Shankarrao Chavan Medical College and Hospital.

Additional SP Abhinash Kumar of Nanded said: "There were no allegations of medical negligence in the given complaint. It was more against an individual and administrative negligence," said Kumar. An FIR has been registered against them under Sections 304 and 34 of the IPC.

"An FIR was registered in Nanded Rural PS under sections 304 & 34 Indian Penal Code yesterday. The case pertains to a victim who lost her newborn baby two days back and her mother passed away yesterday," said Additional SP Kumar.

Kumar further told ANI that a medical committee has already been formed to look into the matter and further investigation will be based on the report of the committee.

"A three-member medical committee has already been constituted to probe the matter. Further investigation will also be based on the report of the Medical committee. FIR is registered against the Dean and chief medical officer of the concerned department," he said.

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At least 31 people died in the government-run Medical College and Hospital, reportedly due to an alleged scarcity of medicines.

A total of 24 patients, including newborns, were reported dead between September 30 and October 1 while seven more deaths were reported on Tuesday.

Relatives of the deceased patients have alleged a shortage of medicines and negligence on the part of the hospital authorities.

Maharashtra's Minister of Medical Education, Hasan Mushrif on Tuesday said a thorough investigation will be conducted into the deaths and a committee of doctors will be formed to conduct the probe.

The Dean of Dr Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital Nanded had previously rejected allegations of negligence against the hospital on Tuesday, claiming that deceased patients were suffering from different ailments such as diabetes, liver failure, and kidney failure.

Dean Shyamrao Wakode said that there was no shortage of medicines or doctors, and the patients were given proper care, but their bodies did not respond to the treatment.

He also said that some of the patients were suffering from arsenic and phosphorus poisoning, snake bites etc.

On Tuesday, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge called for a detailed investigation into the case saying the incident was "extremely painful, serious and worrying."

Recalling a similar incident that happened in Thane two months ago, Kharge said 18 patients lost their lives and such accidents raise questions about the health system of the state government. (Agencies)