Part of Amravati hospital ceiling collapses, patient has a narrow escape

A patient had a narrow escape after a portion of the ceiling collapsed inside a ward at the District General Hospital in Maharashtra's Amravati, raising fresh concerns over the condition of the ageing government healthcare facility.

The incident occurred while the patient was undergoing treatment in the ward. According to eyewitnesses, a section of the ceiling slab suddenly broke off and fell onto the patient's bed, triggering panic among patients, attendants and hospital staff. The patient escaped without suffering any serious injuries.

Hospital personnel immediately shifted the patient to a safer location, while officials began assessing the affected area.

The incident comes just days after the first spell of monsoon rain exposed infrastructure problems at the hospital, with several wards reportedly inundated after rainwater entered the building. Patients and their families had then complained of severe inconvenience, raising questions over the maintenance of the government-run facility.

The latest incident has once again brought the deteriorating condition of the hospital building under scrutiny. Several parts of the structure are reported to be in a dilapidated state, with visible cracks on ceilings and walls. Local residents and patients have alleged that repairs have been overdue for years despite repeated concerns about the building's safety.

Responding to the incident, Civil Surgeon Dr Vinod Pawar said the hospital building was old and had already undergone a structural audit. He said only a small portion of the ceiling slab had fallen and confirmed that the patient did not sustain any serious injuries.

"The building is old and a structural audit has already been conducted. A small portion of the slab fell, but the patient is safe. Necessary repair and safety measures are being undertaken," he said.

The incident has heightened anxiety among patients and their relatives, many of whom questioned whether adequate precautions were being taken to ensure safety inside the hospital.

Residents have demanded immediate repairs, a comprehensive technical inspection of the building and urgent measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. They warned that unless the ageing infrastructure is repaired without delay, a more serious accident could occur, putting the lives of patients, visitors and healthcare workers at risk.

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