Key Points
- The Congress criticized preparations for Deputy Chief Minister’s visit to Jhansi hospital.
- Videos showed lime being spread on roads and cleaning efforts before his arrival.
- The fire at the hospital killed 10 newborns; 16 others are in critical condition.
- Expired fire extinguishers and faulty safety alarms were found in the NICU.
- The Samajwadi Party slammed government hospitals for corruption and negligence.
Looma News
The Congress party has strongly criticized the Uttar Pradesh government after videos surfaced showing preparations being made for Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak’s visit to the Jhansi hospital. The videos showed hospital staff cleaning up the compound and sprinkling lime on the roads to welcome the minister, even though the hospital had just experienced a tragic fire that killed 10 newborns. Congress accused the government of “insensitivity,” calling it shameful that the government seemed more concerned about its image than the lives lost in the fire. A Congress spokesperson also pointed out that the hospital was dirty before, but it was cleaned only in preparation for the minister’s visit.
The fire, which broke out in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College hospital, is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault in an oxygen concentrator. While 10 infants lost their lives in the blaze, 16 others remain in critical condition. Uttar Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister, who also oversees the state’s health department, suggested the fire was likely caused by an electrical issue. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered a three-tier probe into the incident. However, troubling details have emerged, such as the discovery of expired fire extinguishers in the NICU, which hadn’t been serviced since 2020. Additionally, the hospital’s safety alarms failed to go off during the fire.
The Samajwadi Party, an ally of the Congress, also condemned the state’s healthcare system, describing government hospitals in Uttar Pradesh as “a den of misery, corruption, and negligence.” These comments come as concerns grow about the state’s ability to handle such emergencies. Despite the tragic loss of life, the debate over the government’s handling of the fire continues to dominate political discussions in the state.
