In the aftermath of the devastating fire at Jhansi Medical College that claimed the lives of 18 children, including 10 on the day of the incident, the Uttar Pradesh government has taken stringent action based on the findings of a four-member investigative committee.
The college Principal, Dr. Narendra Singh Sengar, has been removed from his post and attached to the Directorate General of Medical Education. Additionally, Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) Dr. Sachin Mahor has been issued a charge sheet for negligence. Three others—Junior Engineer (Electricity) Sanjeet Kumar, NICU ward’s nursing sister-in-charge Sandhya Rai, and Chief Superintendent of the Medical College Dr. Sunita Rathore—have been suspended and charge-sheeted for their roles in the tragedy.
Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak emphasized the government’s sensitivity towards the heart-wrenching tragedy. “The government is committed to ensuring justice for the affected families, who have been provided all possible support,” he said.
Pathak revealed that a four-member committee, led by Director General of Medical Education and Training, Kinjal Singh, was constituted to probe the incident.
Preliminary investigations revealed shocking lapses in adherence to safety and operational protocols. The Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) ward was grossly overcrowded, with 49 children admitted against the ward’s capacity of 18 ventilators. In some cases, three to four children were crammed onto a single bed, significantly increasing the risk of infection and hampering evacuation during the fire.
Witness accounts highlighted that expired oxygen cylinders were being used in the ward, and the fire alarm system failed to activate during the incident. Adding to the tragedy, the back gate of the SNCU ward, which could have served as an emergency exit, had reportedly been locked for a long time.
The investigation held Principal Dr. Sengar responsible for failing to enforce standards and control overcrowding. Despite periodic visits to the hospital, he did not address the overburdening of the SNCU ward. Similarly, CMS Dr. Mahor, who oversees ward operations and receives daily reports, was found unaware of the critical overcrowding on the day of the fire.
The role of Dr. Om Shankar Chaurasia, Head of the Pediatrics Department, is now under scrutiny. His responsibilities include staff assignments, ward capacity management, and equipment maintenance. Investigators are examining his accountability in ensuring the safety and functionality of the SNCU ward.
Negligence Exposed
The tragedy exposed glaring flaws in the hospital’s management. Expired oxygen cylinders were not replaced, and fire safety systems, including alarms, were non-functional. The lack of basic safety measures significantly worsened the impact of the fire.
Grieving families have expressed outrage at the hospital’s negligence, emphasizing the need for accountability. “If the fire alarm had worked or the back gate was open, many lives could have been saved,” said one parent.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who oversees medical education, has assured strict measures to prevent such incidents in the future. “We are committed to ensuring accountability at all levels. Negligence that endangers lives will not be tolerated,” he said.
The Jhansi Medical College fire has cast a spotlight on systemic failures in healthcare safety, prompting demands for comprehensive reforms to protect patients, particularly vulnerable newborns, from such tragedies.
