ESIC HOSPITAL BLAZE: Two of victims were to be discharged the very next day

The death toll in ESIC hospital fire incident has risen to eight from six. Amongst the eight, two patients were about to be discharged on Tuesday.

Anireddy Mallu (78), suffering from asthma, was to be discharged on Tuesday. However, before the discharge, he was suggested to undergo a test at around 4 pm on Monday. In the afternoon, his son Mahesh Reddy went on the ground floor to inquire about the test. By the time, he returned, the fire had broken out and had spread almost to the upper floor. The security did not allow him to go upstairs and as Mallu was asthma, he could not bear the smoke and died.

Another asthma patient, Babu Khan (65) who was also scheduled to be discharged on Tuesday died due to suffocation. He needed oxygen supply most of the time due to chronic asthma. Even, her daughter, Sabira Khan had gone downstairs to get paper works done for personal oxygen system at home while the incident happened.

According to hospital administration, mostly the patients suffering from asthma succumbed to the smoke even after being rescued. Three firemen were also injured during rescue operations and are recuperating at Cooper Hospital.

The blaze that left 169 people injured were admitted to different hospitals across the city after being rescued. Of the 169, around 28 people were discharged by Tuesday evening.

Out of 65 patients admitted to SevenHills Hospital on Monday, four died and 10 were discharged. "Ten patients are still in critical condition," said Dr Lakshmi Sadhotra, Vice-president, SevenHills Hospital. In addition, two infants are in Holy Spirit hospital are currently on a ventilator, however, in a stable condition.

Meanwhile, doctor, nurses and other staffs of ESIC Kamgar hospital staged protest over poor infrastructure. Some of them demanded to transfer them in other ESIC hospital while other demanded immediate operation of the hospitals.

Milin Ogle, divisional fire officer of MIDC said that they would soon complete the investigation of the cause of the fire and submit to the authority. Labour minister Santosh Gangwar also visited ESIC hospital and accepted that there was a delay in completion of construction of the hospital.

RECOVERING

• According to hospital administration, mostly the patients suffering from asthma succumbed even after being rescued
   
• Of the 169 injured who were admitted to different hospitals across the city after, 28 people were discharged by Tuesday evening