At Raipur’s Ambedkar hospital. oxygen supply plant was manned by peon on Sunday

As a probe panel prepares to investigate the death of three babies at a hospital in Raipur on Sunday, the man who was in charge of the oxygen plant says he is untrained..

Published on: Aug 22, 2017, 11:13:36 IST

Hindustan Times, Raipur | By Ritesh Mishra

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It wasn’t a technician who was in charge of the oxygen supply plant at the Dr BR Ambedkar Memorial Hospital in Raipur where three babies died on Sunday allegedly due to a supply snag, but a peon who says he had no training for the job.

The oxygen supply plant at the Dr B R Ambedkar memorial Hospital in Raipur which is manned by only one qualified technician. (HT PHOTO)

The technician of the oxygen supply plant was on leave on Sunday, and Ravi Chandra, a peon, stood in for him. Chandra who was suspended and arrested on Sunday but released on bail on Monday evening denied allegations that he was drunk on duty when the tragedy unfolded.

Chief Minister Raman Singh has ordered a probe into the deaths of the babies who were on ventilators in the neonatal intensive care unit of the hospital due to various health complications.

“I am innocent. I went asleep but I was not drunk,” Chandra told Hindustan Times.

Chandra said that he got the job on compassionate grounds nine months ago after his wife died. “My wife was a lab technician and after she died I got appointment as a peon,” he said.

When asked about the training to handle the oxygen plant, Chandra said, “No training has been given. I learnt everything in the plant only.”

Shockingly, there is no formal back up for the lone technician at the oxygen supply plant.

The Congress unit in Chhattisgarh has flagged the appointment of an untrained person for a crucial job.

“Why he was made in charge of such an important paramedical post when he was not technically trained. An untrained person who is in the records as chaukidaar (watchman) was deputed at oxygen supply plant. Senior officials are also responsible for this act. They should be behind bars,” said Congress spokesperson RP Singh.

The Chhattisgarh government constituted a team of specialist doctors Monday evening to probe the death of the babies.

Director of medical education (DME) AK Chandrakar will head the probe panel.

The other members of the panel are superintendent of the hospital Dr Vivek Chaudhary, assistant medical superintendent Dr Altaf Yusuf Meer and head of the paediatric department Dr Sharja Phooljhale, according to an official press release.

The probe will focus on finding the shortcomings, if any, that led to the incident and how it could have been averted. Besides, negligence, if any, that led to the incident and who were responsible for it, the release said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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