Day before sealing, health min stays closure of tainted Wadi hosp

Nagpur: Public health and family welfare minister Tanaji Sawant has granted interim stay on the decision of district civil surgeon to cancel registration certificate of Well Treat Multispeciality Hospital and Critical Care Centre, Wadi. The stay came a day before the Wadi Municipal Council was to seal the hospital.
In the order passed on Monday, Sawant said, “District civil surgeon passed an order to cancel registration certificate on November 9. Partners of M/s Sanidhya Health Care ‘Well Treat Multispeciality Hospital’ Dr Rahul Thawre and Pravin Giripunje have filed an appeal before me. I heard verbal submissions made by them against the order of district civil surgeon and injustice caused to them. Therefore, I am giving interim stay till hearing is held, in the capacity of head of the department.”
The district civil surgeon had cancelled the registration certificate citing lapse of validity on March 31, 2021, failure to submit necessary documents for renewal, lack of fire systems, and electricity audit certificate. CS had taken the decision after obtaining legal opinion. Wadi Municipal Council had also sent letter to district civil surgeon asking it to shut down the hospital.
The hospital operates from a commercial complex — Pooja Chambers — on second, third and fourth floor since 2015. As per notice served by Wadi Municipal Council earlier, the complex lacks building plan sanction, NOC from fire department, and other mandatory permissions and systems.
A fire broke out in the hospital on April 12 last year, where four patients lost their lives.
Considering cancellation of registration license by district civil surgeon and its own closure orders, Wadi Municipal Council had reportedly planned to seal the hospital at 3pm on Tuesday. The council had sought police protection and also engaged ambulances to shift patients. Now, Wadi Municipal Council will have to postpone the action till further orders from the minister.