Kanpur’s health department launched a major inspection drive on Wednesday, after the death of a newborn in an intensive care unit fire at Raja Nursing Home in the city. Acting on orders from District Magistrate Jitendra Kumar Singh, the Chief Medical Officer’s team raided 27 nursing homes in western Kanpur.
Officials discovered that 22 of these facilities were operating in violation of standards, with several intensive care units running without required permissions. All identified nursing homes were sealed, and responses have been demanded from their operators within three days. Police maintained a strong presence throughout the inspection.
Following the inspection, the Additional Chief Medical Officer, Ramit Rastogi, said, “Twenty-seven hospitals were inspected under the supervision of the Chief Medical Officer. Deficiencies were found in 22 nursing homes, with several hospitals’ ICUs operating without permission. They have been sealed, and all have been asked to respond within three days. In addition, similar inspection processes will continue in other areas of the city.”
Meanwhile, the authorities had registered a report against the doctor and nursing staff of Raja Nursing Home after the infant’s death, which occurred when smoke was seen coming from the ICU equipment shortly after the baby’s birth on 8 February. The facility was found to be running its ICU without approval and has since been sealed. The doctor and staff have not been arrested yet, as the police await the medical board’s investigation report before proceeding with further action.
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