Telangana HC seeks state, Centre replies on govt hospital safety

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has registered a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) on safety in government hospitals, following two incidents in September – the fire at the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Adilabad, in which five infants died, and the roof collapse at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Hospital in Warangal.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice P Sam Koshy and Justice Suddala Chalapathi Rao heard the matter on November 5. It directed the state and central governments to file their counter affidavits and posted the case to November 16.

The PIL is based on a letter that advocate Nallapu Manideep wrote to the Supreme Court.

Safety gaps flagged

Manideep said the two incidents showed serious lapses in preventive safety measures, inspections, maintenance and emergency response in state-run hospitals. Patients, he argued, are entitled not only to treatment but also to safe buildings, working safety systems and trained staff.

He sought a detailed inquiry into both incidents and technical reports on fire, electrical and structural safety. He also asked for a full assessment of infrastructure, equipment, staffing and upkeep across government hospitals.

He urged the High Court to direct the government to draw up a time-bound corrective action plan, fix responsibility, provide adequate funds and set up regular safety monitoring. He also sought compensation, continued treatment and rehabilitation for the affected families.

The incidents

In Adilabad, the fire broke out in the SNCU on September 21 this year, where newborns and preterm infants were being treated. Several other babies were hospitalised after inhaling smoke. According to news reports, a district-level inquiry committee found that electrical wiring damaged by rodents was among the main causes. Its report was forwarded to the government on October 3.

At MGM Hospital, concrete slabs and parts of the false ceiling fell in the Aarogyasri ward on September 20, injuring patients and sanitation workers. Two days later, portions of the ceiling came down in the RICU and physiotherapy sections, but no one was hurt.

Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News, Technology, Entertainment, Sports, Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS.