24 patients including 12 newborns die in one day at state-run hospital in Maharashtra
Nanded, Maharashtra: A state-run hospital in Nanded, Maharashtra, witnessed a heartbreaking loss as twelve newborns and twelve adults succumbed to various ailments, primarily snakebites, within a 24-hour span, according to the hospital dean. The tragedy was attributed to a shortage of medicines and hospital staff, creating a dire situation that led to the devastating outcome.
The dean of Nanded's Shankarrao Chavan Government Hospital said "Six male and six female babies, along with twelve adults, fell victim to various ailments, with snakebites being a significant cause," stated the dean. He cited challenges stemming from staff transfers and a surge in patient numbers from distant locations, exacerbating budgetary constraints. The hospital, serving as a tertiary-level care center and the sole facility within a 70 to 80-km radius, faced overwhelming pressure due to the influx of patients.
The dean revealed that the hospital's efforts to secure medicines faced hurdles, with supply issues affecting their ability to provide necessary treatment. "There is an institute called Haffkine from which we are supposed to procure medicines, but that didn't happen. Despite this, we managed to obtain medicines locally to administer to the patients," added the dean.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed his condolences and announced an inquiry into the incident, promising swift action against any negligence. However, the opposition parties in Maharashtra vehemently criticized the state government. Former Chief Minister and Congress leader Ashok Chavan decried the lack of medical facilities and staff shortages, calling for urgent intervention. "The government should take control of the situation and ensure that such a tragedy never repeats," he stated.
Supriya Sule, daughter of NCP leader Sharad Pawar, held the government accountable, emphasizing that the tragic loss of innocent lives demanded accountability.
This comes less than two months after 18 patients died in 24 hours in August at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Kalwa in Thane. Twelve of them were above the age of 50.
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Man arrested with Rs 2.54-crore heroin in Mumbai
Mumbai (PTI): Police have arrested a man and seized over 500 grams of heroin worth Rs 2.54 crore in the illicit market from him in Mumbai, officials said on Friday.
The police's Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) made the drug seizure in Santacruz in the western suburbs. The operation was conducted by the Kandivali unit of the ANC on Thursday as part of a special crackdown against drug trafficking in the area, they said.
Acting on specific inputs, an ANC team conducted a raid in Santacruz (East) and intercepted a man. During a search, the team recovered 508 grams of high-grade heroin from his possession, an official said.
The seized contraband, a highly addictive, opioid drug derived from morphine, is estimated to be worth Rs 2.54 crore in the international market, he informed.
Following the seizure, a case was registered against the man under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and he was formally placed under arrest in the early hours of Friday.
The police are currently investigating the source of the drug and trying to identify the intended recipients of the consignment, he said.
