RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Jan.31: Dialysis work remained suspended at Sadar Hospital in Gumla today after a fire broke out in its dialysis unit. The incident took place last night when the caretaker of the dialysis unit had gone for dinner leaving the place unattended where poor suffering from kidney problems get a dialysis facility free of cost.
A local resident said that the damage is so big that it will not be easy for Sadar Hospital management to re-start dialysis and there is a possibility that the poor having kidney problems will suffer more.
The civil surgeon Raju Kacchap confirmed the suspension of dialysis work but said that the damage is not big. He said dialysis work will be restarted within two days.
“Fire did not spread much. It remained limited to a small room where some defunct machines, an air conditioner and spare parts used for dialysis work were kept. Dialysis work remained suspended today as the power connection was cut. All the three dialysis machines are intact and I hope within two days dialysis will be restarted,” Kacchap said.
Asked about the reason, Kacchap suspected sabotage.
“The fire broke out around 9.30 pm after the caretaker of the unit went for dinner. Thus I suspect it is a case of sabotage. However, police are investigating the matter,” Kacchap said.
Lagatar24.com contacted the superintendent of police Ehtesham Waquarib for his comment, he expressed his inability to throw any light on the reason saying ‘he was ‘in a meeting’. A police official said, “Probe is on to ascertain whether it was due to a short circuit or some other reason.”
A local resident said that the situation became chaotic in the hospital after the fire.
“The hospital is located at Jashpur Road. As the fire broke out the situation became chaotic. People started running helter-skelter. The situation came under control only after someone informed the police and the fire brigade and firefighters turned up to douse the fire. Firefighters stopped the fire from spreading. After four hours of effort, the fire could be controlled,” the resident said.
