Former Medical Superintendent of SMS Hospital Dr Sushil Bhati, who was removed from the post following fire incident at trauma centre which claimed 8 lives, had been reluctant to serve at the post since May 2025. He had sought voluntary retirement from government. But the state government had turned down his request letting a reluctant administrator to unwillingly look at the management of hospital.
Bhati was said to have been troubled by the deteriorating conditions at SMS hospital and he was not able to handle the management. Perhaps that was the reason he ignored red flag raised by nodal officer of trauma Anurag Dhakad about the risk and danger building was subjected to.
Dhakad shot off warning letters, Bhati overlooked
Dr Anurag Dhakad, who was also removed from his post following the incident, had written multiple letters raising alarm about the fault in the electric circuit of the building and the seepage draining the walls of the building.
Dhakad, who had pressed the danger button, was alert on the day of incident also. He was seen rescuing patients along with his team.
As per copy the letters in possession of The BuckStopper, Dhakad categorically warned about untoward incident patients may face if corrective action is not taken.
But Dr Bhati, who was reluctant to fulfil the responsibility turned blind eye to these warnings. And when the incident finally happened, he got relieved from the post which he wanted to relinquish for last few months.
Bhati got what he sought, but 8 lives lost due to carelessness
Can an unwilling person be sincere about his job? The answer is NO. Had Bhati responded timely to concerns of Dhakad, this ‘massacre' would have been avoided. The state government should appoint someone who is willing to shoulder this important responsibility. SMS is the largest hospital of the state and biggest hope of patients. A person working half hearted can only add to agony and woes.
“Now VRS of Bhati should be immediately accepted. The stage government must take a stock of officials who are at key positions in the hospital. Any lacunae can cost even more dearly,” said a senior doctor of SMS hospital.
Vivek Shukla is a management graduate who has worked in corporate worked for 20 years and is now pursuing his passion — news.
