RIMS-Adilabad ventilator theft: 12 staffers issued memos

RIMS-Adilabad has issued memos to 12 staff members for alleged negligence following the theft of four ventilators from the Respiratory Intensive Care Unit. Police have formed four special teams to investigate the incident, while hospital authorities have stepped up security measures.

Adilabad: A dozen staffers were slapped with memos for showing negligence in protection of four ventilators at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Adilabad. RIMS director Dr Jaisingh Rathod on Wednesday issued the memos to the staffers, following the theft of the ventilators that occurred a few days earlier.

Staffers working with the pulmonology department and the respiratory intensive care unit (RICU) were given memos for failing to safeguard the life-saving machines. Action would be taken against those found negligent in protecting the ventilators, Dr Jaisingh said. Security was heightened following the incident.

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RIMS authorities further said that security personnel had been provided with walkie-talkies as part of security measures. A proposal would be submitted to the government seeking a special protection force. They added that steps were being taken to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents in the future.

Meanwhile, four special police teams have been formed to detect the offenders. The investigation into the incident has been intensified. A suspect has reportedly been detained by investigating officials. Adilabad II Town police registered a case based on a complaint received from a nurse and launched investigations.

Two unknown persons stole the four ventilators from RICU, while doctors and nurses were on duty in the afternoon on October 30. However, the incident came to light only after staffers lodged a complaint with police on November 3. The incident exposed security lapses at the medical institute. Patients and attendants expressed concern over security breach.