Babies burn to death in hospital, drug shortages: 2024 did not augur well for India’s health sector

Here are five significant developments over the past year that raise concerns about the state of health and nutrition in India.

Newborns charred to death in hospitals

At-least 12 newborn babies were charred to death in the newborn care unit of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College Hospital at Jhansi last month. According to the newspapers, the neonatal unit had only 19 beds but was three times over-occupied, with many incubators or radiant warmers having three babies each.

Parents of the babies reported that provisions to douse the fire in the nursery were inadequate.

This was not an isolated event this year: in May, a fire broke out in a private hospital in East Delhi in which at least seven babies were burnt to death and many others injured. It was later found that the neonatal facility had flouted several fire safety norms, including keeping extra oxygen cylinders on the premises. The hospital’s owner was later arrested.

These incidents were widely covered in national and international press. While the state government did announce monetary compensation to the families, there was not statement or plan of action issued on preventing such accidents.

Shortage of anti-tubercular drugs

The shortage of anti-tubercular drugs that started late last year became even more acute this year. A delay in issuing the tenders, and...

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