Negligence at SMS Hospital exposed; death toll from Bhankrota fire rises to 20

The tragic aftermath of the Bhankrota fire incident has not only highlighted the negligence of the NHAI but also revealed serious shortcomings in the state’s largest SMS Hospital. A week after the massive fire, which resulted in 12 deaths and left 35 people burned, the death toll of burn victims in the hospital has reached 20.

The continuing series of deaths, including the case of a 20% burn victim, raises alarms about the hospital’s handling of burn cases.

The fire, which occurred on December 20 due to an LPG tanker crash, spread over a kilometer. Despite being informed promptly, the SMS hospital’s emergency team failed to reach the site, preventing timely and necessary first aid for the victims. Burn patients require specific handling during transportation to avoid infection and further complications. Without proper intervention on the scene, infections spread, leading to numerous deaths in the hospital.

Further scrutiny reveals severe deficiencies at the hospital. The absence of a burn ambulance, which is crucial for transporting burn victims safely, is a major concern. This lack of proper medical transport allows infections to spread, increasing mortality rates. Additionally, the hospital lacks essential equipment like wet distributing burn beds, which help prevent infection and promote recovery.

The burn unit is also poorly equipped with outdated facilities, including glass bubbles without HEPA filters, and a shortage of multipara monitors.

Experts suggest that had the hospital taken more immediate action, especially with a specialized team on the scene, many of these deaths could have been prevented.

The mismanagement of burn care at SMS Hospital has raised serious questions about the hospital’s preparedness and resources for handling such emergencies, leaving burn victims at greater risk during
treatment.