Hyderabad: The Telangana government ordered a comprehensive RIMS fire investigation after three newborns died following a fire at the hospital in Adilabad. Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha also directed officials to conduct electrical, fire and civil structure safety audits at RIMS. He said an expert committee would investigate the incident and examine possible safety and maintenance lapses.
The fire broke out at the Special Newborn Care Unit of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences on Monday night. Rajanarsimha expressed deep shock over the incident. The minister visited RIMS on Tuesday and inspected the neonatal ward where the fire occurred. He reviewed the rescue measures taken during the emergency and the current condition of the affected newborns.
He also sought details about their treatment and the immediate measures taken after the fire. District Collector Rajarshi Shah, RIMS officials and doctors briefed him. Later, the minister held a review meeting in the RIMS director’s chamber. The Collector, senior Health Department officials and RIMS doctors attended the meeting.
RIMS fire investigation to establish exact cause
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Rajanarsimha said the fire occurred around 11.40 pm on Monday. According to the preliminary inquiry, officials found that an electrical short circuit had sparked a fire in an AC unit. Plastic components connected to the AC then burned, causing thick smoke to spread.
However, the minister said the exact cause would become clear only after the comprehensive RIMS fire investigation. The inquiry will also examine whether there were shortcomings in implementing safety standards.
Rajanarsimha said RIMS staff, the district administration, Fire Department and police responded in coordination immediately after the incident. They took urgent measures to move newborns undergoing treatment to safer areas.
Officials also disconnected the electricity supply and provided emergency medical care to the affected children. The minister described the deaths of three newborns in the incident as painful. He said all necessary steps were being taken to provide better treatment to the affected children.
Their health condition was also being monitored continuously. In addition, assistance from local private hospitals was taken wherever necessary, he said. The government will constitute an expert committee for the comprehensive RIMS fire investigation, Rajanarsimha said.
The committee will examine the factors that led to the fire. It will also look into safety deficiencies and possible shortcomings in maintenance. Moreover, the panel will recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The minister directed officials to conduct three crucial safety audits at RIMS. These will cover electrical safety, fire safety and civil structure safety.
Based on the expert committee report and safety audits, officials will prepare comprehensive estimates for required works. These could include repairs, additional infrastructure, restoration work and construction of new buildings. The assessment will also cover the requirement for additional staff. Subsequently, proposals will be submitted to the government.
The minister said officials would examine all aspects of maintenance, monitoring and implementation of safety standards at RIMS. He said action would follow under the rules if the inquiry found negligence or dereliction of responsibility by anyone.
RIMS fire investigation accompanies expansion plans
Rajanarsimha also announced measures to strengthen maternal and child healthcare services at RIMS. The government decided to establish a 150-bed Mother and Child Health building at the hospital. The facility will provide additional infrastructure for maternity services, maternal care and improved treatment for newborns.
RIMS currently has about 800 beds. The proposed 150-bed MCH building would increase its capacity to about 950 beds. The government plans to develop RIMS into a roughly 950-bed super-speciality hospital, the minister said. Several new departments will also be established to improve healthcare services for the public.
A haematology department is planned to improve treatment for thalassaemia, sickle cell anaemia and haemophilia. An emergency department is also proposed for immediate treatment of road accident victims and other emergency cases.
In addition, the government plans to increase the number of postgraduate medical students at RIMS. Steps are also being taken to expand outpatient and inpatient services. The minister said measures were underway to increase postgraduate seats in paediatrics, gynaecology and radiology, among other departments.
He said the government’s main objective was to strengthen infrastructure and provide the required human resources at RIMS. It also aimed to provide quality medical care and further strengthen hospital safety standards.
Local MLA Payal Shankar attended the minister’s visit and review. Health Secretary Christina Z. Chongthu, DMA Vani and Collector Rajarshi Shah were also present. District SP Akhil Mahajan and ITDA PO Manda Makarand attended the programme. Additional Collector R.S. Chitru and Municipal Chairperson Bandari Anusha also participated.
Library Chairman Mallepoola Narsaiah and Market Committee Chairman Srikanth Reddy were present. RIMS Director Jaising Rathod and DMHO Sadhana also attended. Doctors, officials, medical staff and other participants were present during the programme.