12 children among 24 patients dead in hospital in Maharashtra's Nanded in 24 hours

A senior doctor said the hospital faced difficulty due to transfers of staff and could not buy medicines.

At least 12 children were among 24 patients dead in a hospital in Maharashtra's Nanded.

At least 12 children were among 24 patients dead in a hospital in Maharashtra's Nanded

"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...", Dr Shyamrao Wakode of the Government Medical College, was quoted by ANI as saying.

"In the last 24 hours, 24 deaths have been reported at Nanded government Hospital and Medical College (GMCH). Out of these, 12 are infants who were referred here by some local private hospitals. The remaining deaths are of adults for various reasons," Dr Dilip Mhaisekar, Director, Medical Education and Research, Maharashtra, told PTI, adding that a three-member expert committee from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad) district has been formed with a mandate to submit a report by 1pm on Tuesday

Congress leader Ashok Chavan visited the hospital where the deaths occurred. “Around 24 people's death has been reported at the Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Medical College and Hospital & therefore I have come here and met the Dean. The situation is concerning & serious", Chavan was quoted by ANI as saying.

"The government should take this up & provide immediate help...Around 70 other people are critical. Replacement of a lot of nurses who were transferred has not been given. All required help & resources should be given because the situation is concerning”, he added.

"It is natural that medical staff and doctors are overburdened due to such a large number of patients. I will speak to state deputy chief minister and finance minister Ajit Pawar seeking his intervention for funds," Chavan said.

The dean has also said posts continue to remain vacant after the transfer of some nurses, while there is also a shortage of medical officers, the Congress leader claimed.

Incidentally, in a 24-hour period between August 12 and 13, a total of 18 patients had died in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hopsital in Kalwa in Thane district, creating a furore across the state.