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Samajwadi Party (SP) Chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday criticized the BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh over the death of 10 children in the massive fire that broke out at the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi on Friday night and labelled the incident a clear example of 'negligence' by the hospital management and administration.
In jab to the BJP government in the state, the SP chief said, "The Chief Minister should leave the election campaign and false claims of 'everything being fine' and focus on the poor condition of health and medical facilities." Akhilesh Yadav offered his condolences to the bereaved family members of the deceased and said that the state government should provide world-class medical facilities to all the injured and give Rs 1 crore each to the kin of the deceased children. This comes after atleast 10 infants were killed while several others suffered burn injuries in the fire that broke out at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Jhansi Medical College late Friday evening. "The news of 10 children dying and many children getting injured due to fire in Jhansi Medical College is extremely sad and worrying. Heartfelt condolences to everyone," the SP chief wrote in a post on X. "The cause of the fire is being said to be a fire in the 'oxygen concentrator'. This is a direct case of negligence of medical management and administration or of poor quality oxygen concentrator. Punitive action should be taken against all those responsible in this case. The Chief Minister should leave the election campaign and false claims of 'everything being fine' and focus on the poor condition of health and medical facilities," he said. "Only the families who have lost their children can understand the pain and suffering. This is not only a governmental responsibility but also a moral responsibility. It is hoped that those involved in electoral politics will get it investigated honestly in this hour of family disaster and will bring about radical changes in their so-called Health and Medical Ministry from top to bottom," he added. Yadav also lashed out at the State Health Minister and said, "As for the 'Health and Medical Minister' of UP, there is nothing to say to him because it is because of him that the health and medical system in UP has deteriorated so much today. The minister, who is busy making low-level comments of narrow-communal politics, may not even remember that he is the 'Health and Medical Minister. He neither has any power nor any will power, he just has a plaque with his name on it." "The UP BJP government should provide world-class medical facilities to all the burnt children and give Rs 1 crore each to all the bereaved families who have lost their children. Gorakhpur should not be repeated," he added. UP Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak on Saturday said DNA tests, if required, will be conducted to identify three of the ten newborns who tragically lost their lives in a fire at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Jhansi Medical College on Friday evening. Seven of the deceased have been identified, while several other infants sustained burn injuries in the incident. Speaking to reporters, Dy CM Pathak said, "Ten newborns have died, seven have been identified, and three are yet to be identified. If required, DNA tests will be conducted." The fire, which is believed to have started due to an electrical short circuit in an oxygen concentrator, spread rapidly due to the highly oxygenated environment in the NICU. "There were 54 babies admitted to the NICU. Efforts were made to douse the fire, but since the room was highly oxygenated, the fire spread quickly. Many babies were rescued. Ten have died, and the injured are undergoing treatment," Chief Medical Superintendent Sachin Mahor told ANI. Former MP and SP leader Dr Chandra Pal Singh Yadav criticized the medical college administration for negligence. "It is being said there was a short circuit in the afternoon as well, but it was overlooked. Had it been taken seriously, this tragedy could have been avoided. There should be strict action against those responsible," he said. BJP MLA Rajeev Singh Parichha called the incident "unfortunate" and commended the rescue efforts. "Around 35 newborns were rescued, and doctors are giving the best possible treatment to the injured. The government is closely monitoring the situation," he claimed. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to expedite relief efforts and ensure all necessary support for the victims' families. In a post on X, he called the incident "heartbreaking" and assured that strict action would be taken against those responsible. "The death of children in an accident that occurred in the NICU of the medical college located in Jhansi district is extremely sad and heartbreaking. The district administration and concerned officials have been instructed to speed up the relief and rescue operations," CM Yogi said. Authorities have launched multi-level investigations to determine the cause of the fire and assess accountability. Families of the victims await closure and answers. (ANI)
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