Jogu Ramanna, Anil Jadhav blame government negligence for RIMS-Adilabad newborn deaths

Former minister Jogu Ramanna and Boath MLA Anil Jadhav visited RIMS Adilabad following the deaths of three newborns after an air-conditioning unit-related incident in the SNCU. Ramanna alleged government negligence in maintaining the hospital, demanded a comprehensive inquiry, compensation for victims' families, and better healthcare facilities.

Adilabad: Former minister Jogu Ramanna lashed out at the government, accusing it of showing gross negligence in managing State-run hospitals, which he said had become a bane for the poor.

He along with Boath MLA Anil Jadhav visited the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), where three newborns died and three infants were hospitalised following an explosion of air-conditioning machines due to a short circuit at Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) on Monday night, here on Tuesday.

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Speaking to media persons after the visit, Ramanna alleged that the maintenance of the ACs (air-conditioning units) had led to the mishap, which claimed the lives of three newborns. He described the deaths of the infants as murders committed by the government. He demanded that the government carry out a comprehensive inquiry and take stern action against those responsible.

The former minister recalled that repeated representations by local public representatives seeking improvement of amenities at the RIMS were ignored. He held that the government was accountable for the fatalities and wanted it to provide compensation to the victims’ families. He sought better medical services for those infants who were undergoing treatment.

He attributed the failure of the government in the management of RIMS to the tragic incident. He criticized local MLA Payal Shankar and MP Godam Nagesh for failing to visit the institute. He demanded health minister Damodara Rajanarasimha to visit the hospital and conduct a review meeting at the earliest.

Anil too expressed displeasure against the government for neglecting the management of the institute. He said that the medical institution was plagued with numerous challenges, which the government failed to address. The major challenges remained unresolved. Neglect of management and apathy in ameliorating amenities had worsened conditions at the institution, he charged.