Baby Girl Charred, Two Boys Suffocate in Amravati Government Hospital Fire A fire erupted at the newborn care unit of the District Women’s Hospital in Amravati on the early hours of Monday, August 24, 2026, resulting in the deaths of three infants. The incident occurred in the new building’s third-floor SNCU (Sick Newborn Care Unit), where the victims—two boys and one girl aged between 2 days and 10 days—were receiving treatment for neonatal conditions or low birth weight. The fire, suspected to have originated from a short circuit in a ventilator’s monitor, rapidly spread through the unit, engulfing critical medical equipment such as baby warmers and ventilators. The blaze, which began around 3:30 AM, led to the immediate evacuation of 36 babies from the SNCU to other units of the hospital. The mothers of these infants were located on different floors, allowing staff to safely relocate them. However, the fire’s intensity and the presence of flammable materials, including plastic components and oxygen supplies, exacerbated the situation. Four to six additional babies suffered burn injuries, with some in critical condition, and were transferred to the Divisional Referral Service Hospital (Super Speciality) and Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Medical College Hospital for treatment. Eyewitnesses reported that a ventilator in the SNCU “suddenly exploded,” a rare medical event that likely contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. The hospital’s in-built firefighting system failed to activate, forcing firemen to take nearly 20 minutes to bring the situation under control. The SNCU, which had been operational for just one year, housed nine infants at the time of the incident.#devendra_fadnavis #amravati #prakash_abitkar #chandrashekar_bawankule #district_womens_hospital
MNLU Nagpur Implements Menstrual Leave Policy Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) in Nagpur has become one of the first institutions in the state to introduce a menstrual leave policy for its female students and employees. The initiative, announced by Vice Chancellor Vijendra Kumar, aims to provide support to female students by allowing them up to four to five days of leave per semester during menstruation. Requests for leave are to be handled confidentially by the hostel chief warden, with the university emphasizing the importance of maintaining the privacy of its female students. The policy has drawn attention across the country, with many calling for similar measures to be adopted at the state level. Karnataka has already implemented a legally enforceable menstrual leave policy, and state health minister Prakash Abitkar hinted earlier this year that a committee would be formed to address the issue. While MNLU’s move is seen as a step forward, advocates argue that broader systemic changes are needed to address the challenges faced by women in workplaces and educational institutions. Nidhi Telgote, chairperson of the NMC Law Committee and a corporator, praised the initiative but raised concerns about potential recruitment bias against women. She emphasized that while menstrual leave is a positive step, the focus should remain on improving sanitation and menstrual hygiene facilities at workplaces. Telgote also acknowledged the efforts of organizations voluntarily offering menstrual leave, calling it “an excellent initiative.” She highlighted progress under the National Menstrual Hygiene Policy, including the Centre’s promotion of eco-friendly biodegradable sanitary pads through chemists, and noted that such gradual efforts could lead to significant societal change.#karnataka #prakash_abitkar #mnlu_nagpur #vijendra_kumar #nidhi_telgote
Maharashtra Minister Demands Accountability for Melghat Health System Collapse Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Tuesday condemned the deteriorating state of healthcare services in Melghat, a tribal region in the state, and called for urgent action to address systemic failures that have left rural and tribal communities without adequate medical facilities. During a high-level review meeting at Mantralaya, Bawankule questioned officials about the prolonged administrative neglect and emphasized that the government would not tolerate negligence affecting rural citizens. He directed the administration to expedite pending health infrastructure projects in Nagpur and Amravati districts, stressing the need for immediate improvements to meet the basic healthcare needs of the population. The meeting, attended by Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif, and senior health department officials, focused on resolving delays in critical healthcare proposals. Bawankule expressed frustration over the slow progress on projects aimed at strengthening medical facilities, particularly in Amravati district. He instructed officials to prioritize the establishment of radiotherapy and day-care chemotherapy services at the divisional referral hospital through a public-private partnership model. Additionally, he ordered the upgrading of Daryapur sub-district hospital from 50 to 100 beds and mandated the submission of proposals for a trauma care unit, CT scan facility, blood bank, and MRI services. In Nagpur district, discussions centered on pending approvals for the expansion of Narkhed rural hospital from 30 to 50 beds, as well as the clearance of proposals for Kamptee sub-district hospital through MSIDC Nagpur.#prakash_abitkar #chandrashekhar_bawankule #maharashtra_revenue_minister #public_health_minister #medical_education_minister
Mental Hospital MS Dr Humne Suspended, Transferred to Gadchiroli Nagpur: The Maharashtra government has suspended Regional Mental Hospital medical superintendent Satish Humne and initiated a departmental inquiry against him over alleged administrative irregularities, procedural lapses, and misconduct. During his suspension, Dr Humne will be temporarily assigned to Gadchiroli district hospital and is prohibited from leaving the headquarters without prior permission. He has also been barred from engaging in private employment or business activities. The disciplinary action follows a review meeting chaired by public health minister Prakash Abitkar last year and a subsequent probe conducted by a committee, which found the charges against Dr Humne to be prima facie valid. The order outlines several allegations, including negligence in duty, failure to adhere to prescribed procedures, and lapses in implementing key government programs. A competent authority has been appointed to oversee the inquiry, which will involve a thorough examination of records, written explanations, and statements from officials and witnesses. Dr Humne has been directed to cooperate fully with the proceedings and submit his response within the stipulated timeframe. The inquiry aims to assess the validity of the charges and determine appropriate disciplinary measures. The suspension highlights the government’s emphasis on accountability and adherence to administrative protocols in public healthcare institutions. The case underscores ongoing efforts to address governance issues within state-run hospitals, ensuring compliance with established procedures and the effective delivery of services.#maharashtra_government #satish_humne #prakash_abitkar #gadchiroli_district_hospital #regional_mental_hospital
