Playing with Patients' Lives! Health Department Seals Nursing Home in Dankhali
Hooghly: The health department sealed a nursing home in Dankhali, Hooghly, due to allegations of lack of health regulations and necessary infrastructure. Health officials locked the nursing home in the Madan Mohon Tola area of Dankhali around 10 PM on Thursday night. Police from the Dankhali police station were also present at the scene during the operation.
According to sources from the health department, the nursing home lacked the minimum necessary infrastructure to operate. Additionally, there were complaints of shortages of medical officers, GNM nursing staff, and fire safety measures. The health department also claimed that multiple rules of the Clinical Establishment Act were not followed.
It has been reported that the district health department had instructed the nursing home authorities to cease operations back in July. Although the nursing home was closed for a few days at that time, it was later alleged that patients were admitted again. Following new complaints, the health department took action on the matter.
Under the direction of Hooghly District Chief Health Officer Mrigank Maulik, health department officials, including Dankhali BMOH and Deputy CMOH-1 Tridip Mustafi, arrived at the nursing home on Thursday night. The nursing home was sealed shortly thereafter.
Meanwhile, during the sealing of the nursing home, the director Kenaram De got into an argument with the health officials. He acknowledged that there were some infrastructural deficiencies in the nursing home. However, he alleged that the nursing home was closed out of personal vendetta. He also claimed that he was preparing to rectify the service-related deficiencies and seek re-approval.
Kenaram De further claimed that there had been no serious issues or deaths of patients in his nursing home. He stated that he would take legal action against the decision to close the nursing home.
However, the health department alleged that despite multiple notices, the nursing home was not closed in compliance with the rules. Deputy CMOH-1 Tridip Mustafi claimed that necessary regulations were not followed according to health laws, and despite repeated letters, the authorities did not implement the directives. This is why the nursing home was sealed under the directive of the Chief Health Officer.
The incident has caused a stir in the area. Following this action by the health department, new questions have arisen regarding the services and necessary approvals of the nursing home.
