Jhansi Hospital Fire: Tragic Loss of Newborns Sparks Outrage

In a heart-wrenching incident, a fire broke out in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Jhansi Medical College in Uttar Pradesh, claiming the lives of 10 newborns on Friday. Initial reports suggest that the fire started due to a short circuit in an oxygen concentrator within the NICU. The tragedy unfolded around 2:30 AM, sending shockwaves through the state and the nation.

Hospital staff noticed smoke emanating from the NICU and attempted to control the situation, but the rapid spread of the flames hampered rescue efforts. Several infants were evacuated to safety, but the intensity of the smoke made saving all the babies impossible. Despite the firefighters’ best efforts, the fire caused irreparable damage before being extinguished.

Families of the victims were seen inconsolable outside the hospital, grieving their devastating loss. Several parents expressed outrage, alleging negligence in fire safety measures at the medical facility.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed profound sorrow over the incident and announced a high-level investigation to determine the exact cause and prevent such occurrences in the future. He has also ordered the suspension of those found guilty of lapses in safety protocols. A compensation package for the affected families is under consideration.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his condolences, terming the incident as “extremely saddening” and assuring support for the grieving families. Political leaders from various parties have urged for strict action against the hospital administration.

The tragedy has sparked debates over the safety standards in government hospitals across India. Experts have pointed out the need for regular audits of fire safety equipment, especially in sensitive areas like NICUs.

The Jhansi tragedy is a grim reminder of the importance of prioritizing healthcare safety standards, particularly in institutions catering to vulnerable patients. The government has vowed to take stringent measures to prevent a recurrence of such a disaster.

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