Human rights panel seeks report on deaths of three newborns in Amravati hospital fire

The NHRC is probing a fire that killed three newborns and injured four at Amravati's SNCU, seeking reports on health status and state compensation.

MUMBAI: Three days after three newborns died and four others suffered burn injuries in a fire at the Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of the District Women’s Hospital in Amravati, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident.

Human rights panel seeks report on deaths of three newborns in Amravati hospital fire

The NHRC has issued a notice to the Maharashtra chief secretary, seeking a detailed report within two weeks. The report is to include the current health status of the four injured babies and details of the compensation announced by the state government and its disbursement to the victims’ families.

“According to the media report on which the commission took cognisance, nine newborns were present in the SNCU when the fire broke out. The incident was reportedly caused by a blast in a ventilator machine. One of the four injured babies is said to be in critical condition,” the commission said.

The commission observed that, if the contents of the report are true, the incident raises serious issues concerning violation of human rights.

The state government has already ordered an inquiry and announced compensation for the victims’ families. A seven-member committee constituted to investigate the incident began its probe on Tuesday, visiting the hospital and speaking to doctors, hospital management and nurses who were present when the fire broke out. The committee has been asked to submit its report within eight days.

Public health minister Prakash Abitkar said the committee’s report is expected within the next two to three days and that action would be taken against those found responsible.

“We have already appointed a committee and its report is expected to be submitted in the next 2-3 days. Based on the report, action would be taken against the culprits responsible for it. We will apprise the NHRC about the report and the steps taken to avoid any such incident in the future,” Abitkar said.