“We demand a detailed investigation”: Congress President Kharge over deaths of 24 people in Maharashtra

New Delhi [India], October 3 (ANI): Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday expressed his deepest condolences over the deaths of 24 people, including 12 newborns in 24 hours between Saturday and Sunday, in a civil hospital in Nanded, Maharashtra and called for a detailed investigation. 

Mallikarjun Kharge posted on X, “The news of the death of 24 patients, including 12 infants, in a civil hospital in Nanded, Maharashtra is extremely painful, serious and worrying. It is being said that these patients died due to a lack of medicines and treatment. A similar incident took place in a government hospital in Thane in August 2023 in which 18 patients lost their lives.” 

“Our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Continuous such accidents have raised a question mark on the health system of the state government. We demand a detailed investigation so that the culprits of this negligence are given strict punishment from the judiciary,” he added.

At least 24 persons, including 12 infants died at a government hospital in Maharashtra’s Nanded allegedly due to a shortage of medicines.

The incident was reported at Shankarao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital due to the alleged scarcity of medicines.

Shyamrao Wakode, in charge dean of the Medical College, said that the deceased were suffering from various ailments including snake bites, arsenic and phosphorus poisoning etc.

“Around 12 children died in the last 24 hours…12 adults also died due to various ailments (snake bites, arsenic and phosphorus poisoning etc). Due to transfers of various staff, there was some difficulty for us…We were supposed to buy medicines from the Haffkine Institute but that also didn’t happen….Also, patients come from far off to this hospital and there were many patients whose sanctioned budget also got disturbed…,” he said.

Ex-CM and senior Congress leader from Nanded, Ashok Chavan, said that besides these deaths, another 70 patients, referred from other private hospitals in the district, are reported to be ‘critical’.

“Around 24 people’s death has been reported at the Dr Shankarrao Chavan Medical College and Hospital and therefore I have come here and met the Dean. The situation is concerning and serious.

The government should take this up and provide immediate help…Around 70 other people are critical. Replacement of a lot of nurses who were transferred has not been given,” Chavan said.