Oppn walks out demanding health minister’s resignation: ‘Govt hospitals have become Yamraj ka ghar’

Alleging that state-run hospitals have become “Yamraj ka ghar (house of death)”, where patients get admitted only to die, Wadettiwar said the health department has become a hub of corruption.

The Opposition members from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)  then staged a walkout from the House, saying that they were not satisfied with the reply of Sawant.

It was Congress MLA Varsha Gaikwad who raised the issue of death of two women from Gadchiroli district and another woman from Buldhana district who was shifted to Akola due to pregnancy-related complications.

“The condition of hospitals in the state is pathetic. The health infrastructure is on ventilator. Yet, the health ministry keeps ignoring even as patients lose their lives. Moreover, why were the accused responsible for the death of a pregnant woman in Buldhana let off, and on what grounds? How well-coordinated are Health and the Department of Medical Education departments,” she said.

A few months ago, a pregnant woman and her baby died en route from Buldhana to Akola and then to Nagpur Hospital for treatment due to non-availability of facilities at the primary health centre in Buldhana, she said.

“Many such women have lost their lives due to lack of facilities at the primary health centres. But the health department cites reasons that the deaths were due to dengue and bacterial infection. Be it Kalwa, Nanded, Igatpuri, or Palghar — incidents are endless,” Gaikwad said, adding that the government needs to be more sensitive since the department directly affects people’s lives.

After walking out of the House, Congress leader and MLA from Chinur Assembly constituency, Wadettiwar, said, “Two tribal women died during childbirth in district women’s hospitals in Gadchiroli and Buldhana due to negligence of doctors and lack of medicines. Corruption and malpractices in allotment of tenders is the reason behind these deaths. Medical equipment worth crores of rupees have been purchased for a cut and commision but yet not supplied in the hospitals. Funds are not being granted for procurement of medicines. Jobs are being privatised. Healthcare system is completely ruined…”

Alleging that the health minister is not at all serious about the deteriorating the health system, Wadettiwar said, “The government keeps announcing that they will conduct an inquiry by setting up committees. But these committees are of no use as there’s no outcome from them. The health minister must resign to improve the health system in the state.”

It is alleged that two women — Rajni Prashant Shedmake and Ujwala Naresh Bure — died after Caesarean section at the District Women and Child Hospital in Gadchiroli town due to negligence of the doctors and staff, while Vidya Nilesh Gawande who came for treatment at the District Women’s Hospital in Buldhana and the District General Hospital in Akola, died due to the negligence of the doctors.

Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi legislators also protested on the stairs of the Vidhan Bhavan building in Nagpur over the Dharavi slum Redevelopment project in Mumbai, alleging that the state government favoured the Adani group that is given the project.