Gwalior, Dec 9 || A disaster was narrowly avoided when a fire broke out in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of Kamla Raja Hospital, a government-run medical facility in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior, on Monday.
The fire, reportedly caused by a short circuit, posed a severe risk to over 15 newborns admitted to the PICU. Swift action by the hospital staff, combined with the availability of fire extinguishers, managed to avert a tragedy.
According to sources, the fire highlights long-standing issues at Kamla Raja Hospital. Aging electrical wiring, which has not been replaced for years, has made short circuits a recurring problem. Despite repeated calls for a complete renovation, the lack of adequate funding has stalled any upgrades.
The hospital, which has over 450 beds, is operated by a trust on government funding. It faces chronic challenges, including a severe shortage of doctors and non-functional medical equipment, leaving patient care in a precarious state.
The overcrowding in the PICU is particularly alarming, with two to four newborns often sharing a single bed. A video circulating on social media has further exposed the grim reality, raising questions about the state government's commitment to providing quality healthcare.