Nana Patole calls for murder case registration against Shinde govt over deaths in Maharashtra hospitals

Nana Patole. File Pic

Maharashtra Congress President, Nana Patole, has demanded the registration of a murder case against the state government following the tragic deaths of patients at two state-run hospitals in Nanded and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Patole alleged that these deaths were the result of government indifference, reported PTI.

A total of 31 patients, including 12 infants, lost their lives within a span of 48 hours at Dr Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital in Nanded, from September 30 to October 2, according to officials.

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In a separate incident, the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar reported at least 18 deaths, including two pre-term infants, within 24 hours, ending at 8 am on Tuesday.

Expressing his concern, Nana Patole stated, "The state-run hospitals have become death traps. The deaths in Nanded and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar hospitals are akin to state-sponsored murders. A case should be registered against the government under section 302 of the IPC."

According to the PTI report, Patole further alleged that the delay in procuring medicines was due to a "40% commission" issue. He criticized the Shinde-Fadnavis-Ajit Pawar government and accused it of being a "disgrace" to Maharashtra, referencing similar incidents at Kalwa Hospital in Thane a few months ago.

According to Patole, the lack of medicines led to the tragic patient deaths in Nanded and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. He criticised the government's priorities, saying, "The state government has funds for self-praising events, advertisements, and political expenditures, but they claim a lack of funds for purchasing medicines for the common people."

He further highlighted the dire situation in government hospitals, citing staff shortages, insufficient doctors, and a scarcity of medicines. Patole pointed out that essential equipment in these hospitals was dysfunctional and lying idle, raising concerns about the state of healthcare services in rural areas, the report stated.

The Congress leader raised questions about the delay in the inquiry regarding the 18 patient deaths at a hospital in Kalwa near Thane, the home turf of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, in August. Patole urged the chief minister to remove the medical education minister and the health minister from their positions.