Maharashtra hospital deaths: No medicine shortage, says Nanded hospital dean

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Amid the Opposition's outcry over the deaths of 24 individuals, including 12 infants, between September 30 and October 1, the Dean of Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital in Nanded, rejected accusations of negligence against the hospital on Tuesday. He stated that the deceased patients had various medical conditions such as diabetes, liver failure, and kidney failure.

Shyamrao Wakode, dean of the hospital, emphasised that there was an ample supply of medicines and doctors, and the patients received appropriate care. However, their bodies did not respond to the treatment. He also pointed out that some patients suffered from arsenic and phosphorus poisoning, snakebites, among other issues.

"In the last 24 hours, 24 people lost their lives. Around 12 children (1-2 days old) died in the last 24 hours. These children were suffering from different ailments. Among the adults, there were eight patients between 70 and 80 years of age. They had different problems, like diabetes, liver failure, and kidney failure. Patients usually come here in a serious condition," said Wakode, adding, "There was no shortage of medicines or doctors. Proper care was provided to the patients, but their bodies did not respond to the treatment, which caused deaths."

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"Around 12 children died in the last 24 hours...12 adults also died due to various ailments (snakebites, arsenic and phosphorus poisoning, etc.). Due to transfers of various staff, there was some difficulty for us...We were supposed to buy medicines from the Haffkine Institute, but that also didn't happen....Also, patients come from far off to this hospital, and there were many patients whose sanctioned budget also got disturbed...," he added.

On Tuesday, Mallikarjun Kharge called for a detailed investigation into the case, stating that the incident was "extremely painful, serious, and worrying." Recalling a similar incident in Thane two months ago where 18 patients lost their lives, Kharge raised concerns about the state government's healthcare system.

"The news of the death of 24 patients, including 12 infants, in a civil hospital in Nanded, Maharashtra is extremely painful, serious, and worrying. It is being said that these patients died due to a lack of medicines and treatment. A similar incident took place in a government hospital in Thane in August 2023, in which 18 patients lost their lives," posted Kharge on X.

Meanwhile, launching an attack on Maharashtra government and the management of Nanded Hospital, former CM and senior Congress leader from Nanded, Ashok Chavan, said, "Around 24 people's deaths have been reported at the Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Medical College and Hospital, and therefore I have come here and met the Dean. The situation is concerning and serious."

(with inputs from ANI)