Tragedy struck Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Kalwa, Thane, as 18 patients succumbed within the last 24 hours, as confirmed by civic commissioner Abhijit Bangar on Sunday. The heartbreaking toll included 10 women and eight men, hailing from various areas such as Thane city, Kalyan, Sahapur, Bhiwandi, Ulhasnagar, Govandi (Mumbai), and other locations, with one patient remaining unidentified.
Of the deceased, 12 were aged above 50, according to Mr. Bangar. State health minister Tanaji Sawant and local Deputy Commissioner of Police Ganesh Gawde initially reported the death toll as 17.
In response to this distressing situation, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde initiated prompt action by forming an independent probe committee. This committee, under the leadership of the commissioner of health services, will comprise the collector, civic chief, director of health services, state-run JJ Hospital’s interventionist, and civic surgeon. Their mandate is to thoroughly investigate the clinical aspects surrounding these tragic deaths.
Patients who lost their lives were suffering from complications stemming from conditions such as kidney stones, chronic paralysis, ulcers, pneumonia, kerosene poisoning, and septicemia.
Civic commissioner Abhijit Bangar stated, “The treatment approach will be meticulously reviewed, and statements from the deceased’s families will be recorded. The allegations of negligence voiced by some family members are a grave concern that the investigative committee will thoroughly address.”
In response to these incidents, the hospital’s COVID staff of 500 has been transferred to this facility, with additional nursing staff appointed. The authorities are also working to establish a round-the-clock post-mortem facility.
State health minister Tanaji Sawant revealed that the hospital’s dean has been tasked with submitting a detailed report within two days. Concurrently, the local Thane Municipal Corporation is actively scrutinizing the situation, with various civic officials engaged in the inspection of records and other pertinent details.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Ganesh Gawde explained that the increase in deaths was significant compared to the usual six to seven per day. The hospital management attributed this spike to patients arriving in critical condition or being elderly.
Echoing the concerns, Minister Tanaji Sawant emphasized that 13 of the 17 patients were in the ICU. He added, “The dean’s report will guide the ensuing action, overseen by Minister Hasan Mushrif of the state medical education and research department.”
Expressing concern, Maharashtra Minister and BJP leader Girish Mahajan stated that 16 deaths in a single day at a hospital with a 500-patient capacity was deeply troubling.
Meanwhile, NCP leader and regional MLA Jitendra Awhad pointed out that mismanagement was evident in the hospital’s operations and called for swift rectification before further harm ensued.
State minister Aditi Tatkare expressed her condolences, emphasizing the government’s commitment to prevent such incidents from recurring. Hospital sources mentioned that some doctors were down with dengue, which might have affected the hospital’s operations.
Local MNS leader Avinash Jadhav advocated for proactive measures to enhance the hospital’s efficiency and service quality in the future.
