Muzaffarpur hospital fire: Doctor suspended

Patna: Taking serious note of the fire incident that occurred at a private hospital located in Muzaffarpur, the health
department has taken disciplinary action against the concerned govt medical officer who was on duty at the private hospital’s ICU.

The department has suspended with immediate effect Dr Pankaj Kumar, the medical officer posted at the primary health
centre, Bandra in Muzaffarpur district, who was on duty at the ICU of Prasad hospital where fire had broke out and total seven patients were killed, informed health department secretary Kumar Ravi. He further said one more report is being awaited which will have details related to the incident.

“Now charges will be framed against Dr Pankaj Kumar and further action will be taken,” read a press release from the
health department.

The release further stated a detailed investigation into the matter was conducted by the Health Department and a report was received from the district magistrate and civil surgeon of Muzaffarpur, in which serious irregularities and dereliction of duty charges
against Dr Pankaj Kumar came to light prima facie. “The investigation found that Dr Pankaj Kumar was unauthorisedly absent from the primary health centre, Bandra. Dr Pankaj Kumar fled from incident site leaving behind the patients admitted in the ICU,” it read.

A press release from Muzaffarpur district administration read,” In a sensitive case like Prasad Hospital, his responsibility was extremely important. Despite this, his abandoning of duty has been considered a serious administrative and service-related negligence. Taking seriously the negligence towards duty and insensitivity towards patients, the health department has suspended him with immediate effect under Rule 9(1)(a) of the Bihar Government Servant (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 2005. During the suspension period, his headquarters will be determined by the health department, Bihar and he will be entitled only
to subsistence allowance as per rules.”

Meanwhile, on the instructions of the district magistrate, a special team has been formed and a continuous inspection campaign is being conducted against private hospitals and nursing homes, and effective action is being taken against institutions violating safety standards. So far, 25 health institutions have been sealed, taking seriously the matter of violation of government protocol.