Medicines were available, Nanded hospital deaths unfortunate: Maharashtra CM Shinde

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday denied reports that deaths in the government medical hospital in Nanded were due to the unavailability of medicines and medical staff.

Speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting, Shinde said, “The deaths in Nanded are absolutely unfortunate and the government has taken the issue seriously. As per the information available with us, medicines were available in necessary quantity. As we inquired, it was told that the medical staff was also available,” said Shinde, after the state cabinet meeting.

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Shinde, however, added that the government has taken the issue seriously and minister concerned as well as the department secretaries have been asked to go to Nanded.

“I cannot comment on the exact cause of the deaths since the final report is awaited. But it is learned that a few of them were premature babies and senior citizens with serious health conditions. We are keeping a watch on the situation and will undertake a thorough probe into it,” he said.