THE Health Department suspended the registration of Shelby Hospital, located in the Vijaynagar area, with immediate effect on Tuesday following a major fire incident on the premises. The stringent administrative action was taken based on a joint inspection report submitted by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Revenue) Pankaj Mishra and Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr Naveen Kothari. Health officials expressed severe concern over the hospital management’s failure to notify authorities about the blaze. According to the CMHO, Nursing Home Act provisions mandate immediate reporting of any emergency or unforeseen incident to the department.

 

However, the hospital administration failed to provide any written report, email, or telephonic communication, which authorities classified as gross negligence. Furthermore, relatives of patients alleged widespread chaos within the hospital premises during the incident. Investigation details revealed that the hospital’s fire alarm system was completely nonfunctional at the time of the fire, failing to alert occupants on time. The joint report further noted that hospital managers and staff failed to extend the necessary support required to safely evacuate patients, directly endangering the lives of those admitted. The suspension remains in place as official procedures continue.