Significant Fire Disaster Averted at Government Hospital in Gwalior
Click to start listening
Gwalior, Dec 9 (NationPress) A potential catastrophe was averted when a fire ignited in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of Kamla Raja Hospital, a state-run medical institution located in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior, on Monday.
The fire, which was allegedly triggered by a short circuit, posed a grave danger to over 15 newborns currently being treated in the PICU. Quick action taken by the hospital personnel, alongside the presence of fire extinguishers, helped prevent a potential tragedy.
Sources indicate that this incident underscores persistent problems at Kamla Raja Hospital. The aging electrical wiring, which has not undergone replacement for years, has turned short circuits into a frequent issue. Despite numerous requests for a complete overhaul, the absence of sufficient funding has hindered any necessary upgrades.
This hospital, boasting over 450 beds, is managed by a trust with government support. It struggles with chronic issues, including a critical shortage of doctors and non-operational medical devices, which jeopardizes patient care.
The situation in the PICU is especially concerning, as it often sees two to four newborns sharing a single bed. A video that has surfaced on social media has further shed light on this alarming reality, prompting concerns about the state government's dedication to ensuring quality healthcare.
This fire incident emerges amidst increasing worries about medical negligence throughout Madhya Pradesh. In a troubling case from Sidhi district, a woman was compelled to give birth outside a government hospital late Sunday night after being refused admission. Sadly, the newborn did not survive for more than 30 minutes.
Such occurrences, where patients are transported via cycles and bullock carts due to a lack of ambulances or infrastructure, depict a grim scenario of the state's healthcare system.
The Kamla Raja Hospital fire acts as a critical wake-up call for authorities to tackle underlying issues within healthcare facilities. Without prompt action, the likelihood of similar incidents remains high.
