Inquiry into RIMS-Adilabad tragedy concludes, report to be submitted soon

A six-member committee probing the RIMS-Adilabad SNCU explosion that killed five infants has completed its inquiry. The panel examined officials and gathered details and is expected to submit its report soon, along with recommendations to prevent similar incidents.

Adilabad: An inquiry by a six-member committee into the tragic explosion of air-conditioning machines at the Special Neonatal Care Unit (SNCU) of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) concluded here on Tuesday.

Five infants were killed, while 20 newborns were hospitalised after inhaling toxic gases and smoke emanating from the explosion at the SNCU on September night. This prompted the State government to constitute a committee to probe the tragedy and take steps to avoid similar incidents in future.

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The committee, headed by Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) Utnoor PO Manda Makarandu, launched the probe on September 24. It inquired into the causes of the tragedy by speaking to officials and gathering details. It will submit a report to the government in a day or two after synthesising the responses of RIMS staffers.

It is learnt that systematic lapses, coupled with a breakdown of insulation in an AC, led to the explosion. “The staffers and duty doctors responded swiftly, restricting the fatalities to five. The institute has no dedicated AC technician and negligence in maintenance is evident,” a member of the committee said.

Besides identifying the causes of the mishap, the committee will also suggest a slew of corrective measures. Shifting the SNCU to a safer place is the need of the hour. The existing facility lacks ventilation, which trapped toxic gases and thick smoke, leading to the tragedy, the member pointed out.