Maharashtra: 7 more patients died in Nanded hospital between Oct 1 and 2; toll 31 in 2 days

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A day after it came to light that 24 patients died in a 24-hour period at a government-run hospital in Maharashtra's Nanded, seven more people have died at the same facility between October 1 and 2 taking the total count to 1.

The District Information Office (DIO) of Nanded, located around 280 km from here, confirmed this on a social media platform.

Earlier, 24 deaths were reported at the Dr Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital in Nanded in 24 hours between September 30 and October 1. Twelve of the 24 deceased were infants, a top Maharashtra health department official said on Monday.

In a social media post, the Nanded DIO said, "The facts related to the death of patients at Dr Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital is as follows: 24 deaths between September 30 and October 1; seven deaths between October 1 and 2."

"Please do not panic. A team of doctors is ready," it added.

Taking to microblogging site X on Tuesday morning, Chavan said, "Deaths continue unabated at the hospital in Nanded. Seven more patients, including four children, died since yesterday (October 2) at the Government Medical College and Hospital."

"The state government should fix the responsibility," the former Maharashtra chief minister demanded.

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Minister of Medical Education of Maharashtra, Hasan Mushrif, has expressed his deep concern over the lives lost at Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Medical College and Hospital in Nanded.

He said the government will carry out a detailed investigation int the incident. "We will carry out a thorough investigation. I have briefed Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis regarding the same. I will visit the hospital, and a committee of doctors will be formed."

Mushrif will visit the GMCH in Nanded on Tuesday. He will also address a press conference following his visit to the hospital, a district official said.

In its official statement released on Monday, the Nanded district collectorate said that between September 30 and October 1, a total of 24 deaths were reported at the hospital.

"Among the 12 adults who lost their lives, five were male and seven female. Four adults had heart-related ailments, one was suffering from an unknown poisoning, one had a liver issue, two were kidney patients, and one case was of complications during pregnancy. There were three accident cases," it said.

Among the deceased infants, four were brought to the hospital at the last stage, the collectorate statement said.

This incident has put the spotlight on the healthcare system in Maharashtra, drawing strong comments from various political figures. Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut lamented, "... The health condition of Maharashtra has always been on the better side, but for the last year, in a way all the government departments of Maharashtra are working, neither the Health Minister is concerned, nor the doctors are working, and no one has any control. The health department is the most neglected department in Maharashtra."

Congress leader Atul Londhe Patil also criticized the state government, highlighting additional concerns. "12 more newborn babies have died in Nanded hospital as per today's information. Now, the total number of deaths is 24. This is only because of the lack of management and governance on the part of the present Government in the state. This government is mostly involved in creating events and managing headlines. Recently, they have started a new hospital to which half of the staff from Nander has been transferred. There is no annual maintenance contract for MRI machines. There is a lack of medical equipment in the hospital, a lack of medicines, and doctors. So, the present government in the state is solely responsible for this incident." (Agencies)