Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday announced financial assistance for the families affected by the devastating fire at the Maharani Laxmibai Medical College Hospital in Jhansi, which claimed the lives of 10 newborns. The state government will provide ₹5 lakh each to the parents of the deceased and ₹50,000 to the families of those injured, from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
The fire, reportedly caused by a short circuit in an oxygen concentrator, spread rapidly in the highly oxygenated environment of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Seven of the deceased infants have been identified, while efforts are underway, including possible DNA testing, to confirm the identities of the remaining three.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, addressing the media, said, “Ten newborns have died, seven have been identified, and three are yet to be identified. If required, DNA tests will be conducted.” Several other infants sustained burn injuries and are receiving medical attention.
CM Orders Swift Action
Chief Minister Adityanath has directed the Divisional Commissioner and the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) of Jhansi to submit a detailed report on the incident within 12 hours. Emphasizing accountability, he has called for stringent action against those found negligent in ensuring safety protocols.
Condolences and Criticism
President Droupadi Murmu expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, calling it “heartbreaking.” In a post on X, she wrote, “May God give strength to the bereaved parents and families to bear this cruel blow. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured babies.”
However, the incident has also drawn sharp criticism. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav called it a case of “negligence” by the hospital administration and medical management. He alleged that poor-quality oxygen concentrators might have caused the fire, demanding accountability. In a post on X, he stated, “The Chief Minister should leave the election campaign and focus on improving the deplorable state of health and medical facilities.”
The Aftermath
The tragedy has sparked widespread grief and anger across the state. While the government has taken immediate steps to support affected families, questions about hospital safety standards and equipment quality have come to the forefront.
As investigations unfold, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the victims and preventing such catastrophic incidents in the future.