A fire at Maharani Laxmibai Medical College and Hospital in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, tragically claimed the lives of ten newborns, raising alarm bells over India's inadequate fire safety measures. The incident occurred due to a short circuit in the neonatal intensive care unit, highlighting persistent issues with hospital fire preparedness.
Tragedy Strikes Again as Hospital Fire Claims Lives of Newborns in India
Tragedy Strikes Again as Hospital Fire Claims Lives of Newborns in India
A devastating fire in a Jhansi hospital has resulted in the loss of ten infants, reigniting concerns over safety protocols and fire preparedness in Indian healthcare facilities.
A tragic incident unfolded late Friday at Maharani Laxmibai Medical College and Hospital in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, where a fire engulfed the neonatal intensive care unit, resulting in the deaths of ten newborns. Reports suggest that the blaze, sparked by an electrical short circuit, rapidly spread through the ward, which housed 49 infants on life support.
Sachin Mahur, the chief medical superintendent of the hospital, confirmed that all ten victims were less than a year old and had been under observation for discharge in the coming days when the fire broke out. While efforts were made to rescue some of the infants, 17 were severely impacted, leaving them hospitalized as of Saturday.
This latest disaster is part of an ongoing pattern of hospital fires in India, a country which has faced criticism over inadequate building safety standards and fire preparedness. In a similar incident in May, seven infants perished at a neonatal clinic in New Delhi, and a catastrophic fire in Kolkata in 2011 claimed the lives of 93 individuals.
Experts emphasize that despite advancements in building codes and fire safety guidelines, the enforcement of such regulations remains ineffective. A recent study noted that the frequency of hospital fires has not significantly diminished over the past decade, underscoring an alarming lack of improvements in safety measures.
Images of the charred neonatal ward and distressed parents have circulated on social media, amplifying public outrage and grief over the loss. In response to the tragedy, the government has announced a compensation package of 500,000 rupees (approximately $6,000) for bereaved families.
The state of emergency services in India has been under close scrutiny. Data shared with the Parliament in 2019 revealed a severe shortage of fire stations and firefighting personnel—indicating a critical gap in the country's ability to handle such emergencies effectively.
The heartbreak of affected families continues to resonate with the public, reigniting discussions on the urgent need for systemic reforms in hospital safety protocols and fire management strategies in India.
