NEW DELHI: In a shocking incident at Jhansi Medical College, the focus shifted from the lives of newborns to the arrival of a political figure. As the Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister of Uttar Pradesh were scheduled to visit the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), staff at the facility scrambled to prepare a welcome for the dignitaries, while the cries of vulnerable infants were drowned out. Chalk was drawn on the floor, roads were swept, and the atmosphere turned from one of care to one of political theatrics. This moment of misplaced priorities sparked widespread outrage, as the health and well-being of newborns took a backseat to the political spectacle unfolding on the hospital grounds.
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The NICU, where premature and critically ill newborns fight for survival, had witnessed an unsettling quietness. The usual bustle of medical staff attending to the babies was momentarily replaced with preparations for the official visit. As per reports, workers were seen scrambling to clean the premises, sweeping the roads and applying fresh layers of lime, all in anticipation of the health minister’s visit.
The tweet from Shivam Bajpai, a local journalist, described the situation succinctly: “जान जाए-पर शान न जाए” (Let the life go, but not the prestige). This quote encapsulated the sentiment surrounding the visit, where it seemed that the priority was more about creating a clean, impressive environment for the dignitaries rather than focusing on the care of critically ill infants.
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While the Deputy Chief Minister’s visit was marked by a flurry of activity and the issuing of inspection orders, the lack of attention to the real needs of the hospital’s NICU has sparked concern. The event has raised questions about the government’s commitment to healthcare, with critics pointing out that the lives of the newborns were inadvertently put on hold to accommodate the political visit.
This incident highlights the misplaced priorities in public administration, where image and appearance often overshadow genuine issues. While political figures come and go, the real work of healthcare requires consistent attention, not just during official visits, but every day.