In the latest development the state probe committee in its finding have said that the heart wrenching tragedy that occurred in Bhandara’s district hospital killing 10 infants on 8-9th of January was due to dereliction of duty of two nurses namely Smita Sanjay Ambil Duke and Shubhangi Sathawane who were on duty and were supposed to be present in the Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNUC) where fire was caught. These findings have come from report by Forensic Science Laboratory in Kalina, Mumbai. Prima facie report states that had the nurses been there, they could have safely evacuated the infants before fire engulfed the whole ward.
FSL report which will be submitted to state’s health department in a day or two adds that fire was caused by a short circuit, which started spreading and new born of day old to month old infants were crying and writhing in pain for more than 15 minutes and fire engulfed babies who suffocated to death for want of oxygen. Report also talks about CCTV footage that clearly shows that two nurses were absent at the SNUC, during their duty hours.
State’s Health Minister Rajesh Tope while speaking with TDG on issue says, “It’s true that prima facie it seems to be sheer negligence of two nurses whom we have terminated. Their lethargic attitude is seen and due to their dereliction of duty there was delay in action by 12 minutes. These nurses were supposed to be present in unit but they were in lobby instead. We are working on deep rooted investigation to check their mobile details about their location, what they were doing at that time on phone etc. No one will be spared, stern action will be taken against culprits. In a day or two when a report is submitted to Health Department required penal action will also be taken.”