In the wake of the tragic fire that claimed the lives of six newborns at a neonatal hospital in Vivek Vihar, startling revelations have emerged about the owner’s track record of flouting regulatory norms across multiple healthcare establishments in Delhi. Official documents have unveiled a disturbing pattern of non-compliance, ultimately culminating in Saturday night’s heart-wrenching incident.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) took legal action against Naveen Khichi in 2018 for operating a paediatric hospital in Vivek Vihar Block B, mere metres away from the facility engulfed in flames over the weekend. Subsequently, in 2019, despite the revocation of its license due to violations, Khichi continued to operate another hospital in Paschim Puri. It operated for years without consequence before finally obtaining a license in 2022, only to abruptly shut down on Sunday amidst mounting public outrage.
Delhi Police, after obtaining a three-day custody remand, interrogated Khichi and Akash Singh, the ayurvedic doctor inexplicably on duty during the fire. Investigations have unearthed a host of regulatory breaches at the ill-fated hospital, including operating without a license, overcrowding, excess storage of oxygen cylinders, unqualified medical staff for neonatal care, and inadequate fire safety measures.
Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj acknowledged these violations and instructed chief medical officers to conduct thorough inspections of hospitals to prevent similar incidents. Meanwhile, police investigations revealed Khichi’s operation of multiple facilities, including those embroiled in legal disputes.
Dr Yatin Mehta, Chairman of Critical Care and Anesthesiology at Medanta Hospital, emphasised the shared responsibility of the hospital and the government in ensuring patient safety. Bharadwaj expressed confidence in the court’s impending verdicts against illegal hospitals.
Furthermore, police inquiries revealed that Khichi predominantly employed ayurvedic practitioners and was directly involved in patient care. The investigation also identified approximately 15 staff members at the centre, whose qualifications and awareness of violations are under scrutiny.
“The owner of this hospital runs another similar hospital in Paschim Puri. Cases have been registered against him twice in different incidents. These cases are going on against him in Karkardooma Court and Tis Hazari Court,” Bharadwaj said in a statement.
“It is expected that soon the court will give its verdict against the owner of this nursing home in these cases and he will be given a severe punishment,” he added.
