Journalism of Courage
Dr Kanchan Jagtap,Deputy Director of Health,Pune,has issued a showcause notice to superintendent of Yerawada mental hospital Dr Vilas Bhailume for lax administration and also suspended three ward boys following the death of two mentally ill patients in a scuffle at the hospital.
It is a serious lapse on the part of the administration that led to the death of two inmates who were recently admitted to the hospital, said Jagtap.
Jagtap headed the three-member committee,including Dr R B Nigade and Shailesh Patankar,to investigate the matter.
On November 21,Deepak Suravase (28) had first attacked Baburao Landage (38) and then strangulated Shamsuddin Bhanvadiya (52). It all started when Landage pulled Suravases blanket. Angry,Suravase hit Landage with his fist and then banged his head against the wall. Meanwhile,Shamsuddin,who started shouting for help,was strangulated by Suravase,said Yerawada police .
The committee appointed by health department under the chairmanship of Jagtap found lapses on the part of the administration and suspended ward boys Raju Diwar,Manoj Kamble and Suresh Asaware. Jagtap said the ward boys were on night duty when the incident occurred. From their statements it has emerged that there was negligence,she added.
Bhailume will have to reply to the notice within eight days as prima facie the committee feels the medical superintendent has been lax in administration, she said. Jagtap has instructed that each ward should be looked after by a medical officer and surprise checks should be conducted from time to time.
