Owner of Fire Site Ran 3 Hospitals Without Licence: Official Documents Show Regulatory Lapses

The owner of the neonatal hospital in Vivek Vihar, where six newborns tragically lost their lives in a fire, has been revealed to have a history of operating facilities without proper licenses. Official documents show that the owner, Naveen Khichi, ran a string of hospitals in Delhi and was repeatedly reprimanded by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) for regulatory violations.

Investigations have uncovered a pattern of violations that ultimately led to the devastating incident on Saturday night. The hospital where the fire occurred did not have a license, exceeded its authorized capacity, stored more oxygen cylinders than allowed, employed doctors without qualifications for neonatal care, and lacked emergency exits and fire extinguishers.

In 2018, the health regulator took legal action against Khichi for operating a pediatric hospital in Vivek Vihar Block B without proper authorization. Despite having its license revoked due to rule violations, another hospital owned by Khichi in Paschim Puri continued to operate until it was finally issued a license in 2022. The facility was abruptly shut down on Sunday night amidst growing outrage.

Delhi Police have interrogated Khichi and an ayurveda doctor, Akash Singh, who was on duty at the hospital during the fire. Both have been remanded in police custody for three days. The findings of the investigation highlight a series of regulatory malpractices by Khichi and raise concerns about negligence in the establishment and operation of facilities for newborns.

Health minister Saurabh Bharadwaj acknowledged the violations and stated that the state government has instructed chief medical officers to inspect hospitals across the city to prevent similar tragedies. Experts have emphasized the need for stringent regulatory oversight to prevent illegal operations from endangering lives.

The absence of governmental intervention has allowed illegal hospitals to thrive, with experts calling for accountability from both hospital owners and regulatory authorities. The government has pledged to take action to prevent such disasters in the future.

As the investigation continues, it has been revealed that Khichi predominantly employed ayurvedic practitioners to care for newborns and had connections with nursing homes that referred premature babies to his facility. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, with police questioning staff members and examining their qualifications.

The injured babies have been transferred to another hospital for further treatment, as authorities work to ensure the safety and well-being of patients in the wake of this tragic incident.