The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) on Saturday protested outside ESIC Hospital in Marol and demanded that those responsible for the fire that broke out at the hospital last week be booked for culpable homicide.
The fire has claimed 11 lives so far and the MIDC police have arrested two employees of the firm that won the contract to construct the new hospital building, where the fire started. Two welders working on the project are wanted in the case.
Mahendra Singh, State CITU vice-president, said the four accused were scapegoats and the real perpetrators were roaming scot-free. He said, “Rubber mats should not have been placed next to welding work. That was not the responsibility of the welder, but the medical superintendent and the firm that won the contract.”
‘Gross negligence’
CITU demanded that the Union Minister for Labour and Employment, the State Health Minister, the medical superintendent, director of NBCC and the director of Supreme Constructions be charged with culpable homicide. Mr. Singh said the fire broke out owing to negligence at all levels, despite reminders. He said, “There has been no fire audit at the hospital despite small fires breaking out in the past. For three years, we have been highlighting the state of neglect of this hospital, which has been under construction for 10 years. If these issues were addressed, 11 people would not have died.”
Mr. Singh said all bereaved families should be given ₹25 lakh as compensation. “The government should pay for the medical treatment of all the injured and compensation for the time they were unable to earn a livelihood.”
Meanwhile, Prachi Patil (21), an accountant from Thane, who was injured in the fire, continues to be in a critical condition at Cooper Hospital in Vile Parle. Though she was taken off the ventilator, doctors said she continued to be on oxygen support. “Her health seems to be improving, but continues to be critical. We are keeping a close eye on her health,” the assistant medical officer said, adding that seven others were being treated in the general ward.
Injured recovering
At Hiranandani Hospital in Powai, one patient was taken off ventilator support on Friday, while at Holy Spirit Hospital in Bandra, 26 patients were discharged on Saturday. A baby boy, whose twin sister died in the fire, is recovering at Holy Spirit Hospital, doctors said. “We have lost our daughter. Our other baby is fine. The doctors said he is being treated and provided milk. We are praying for him,” said Anil Logave, the child’s father.
Fourteen of the 25 patients admitted to Bal Thackeray Trauma Care Hospital in Jogeshwari are undergoing treatment, including a woman who was pregnant when she was brought in. “The woman delivered four days ago. The mother and baby are doing well. The other patients are stable and out of danger,” said H.S. Bawa, medical superintendent.
Patient critical
At Seven Hills Hospital in Andheri, 18 patients were discharged on Saturday. Another 20 would be discharged soon, doctors said. One patient continues to be critical, but stable in the intensive care unit (ICU). Dr. Lavesh Jadhav, medical superintendent of the hospital, said, “The patient is on oxygen support. He is stable, but we can’t say anything until he comes out of the ICU. Other patients are stable and could be discharged in the next 48 hours.”
