The blaze, which erupted in the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of RIMS in Adilabad, left five newborns dead and injured several others, prompting an immediate investigation into the hospital’s safety standards.
After touring the damaged facility, Kavitha alleged that the tragedy was the result of systemic lapses, including a shortage of doctors and other staff, and the absence of a full‑time air‑conditioner mechanic despite the hospital operating around 150 air‑conditioning units.
She further claimed that the hospital was owed roughly ₹500 crore in Aarogyasri scheme dues, a financial shortfall she said hampered essential upkeep and emergency preparedness.
Kavitha demanded ₹50 lakh in ex‑gratia for each of the families of the five infants who perished, as well as for families of other affected newborns, and announced that the Telangana Rakshana Sena would provide ₹50,000 to each bereaved family as an immediate relief measure.
The Sena leader also criticised Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for not visiting the grieving families, saying the incident highlighted the deteriorating condition of government hospitals across the state. She referenced the recent ceiling collapse at MGM Hospital in Warangal as further evidence that safety audits are urgently needed for all public health facilities.
Earlier in the day, Kavitha visited Ginnera village in Indervelli mandal to console the family of an infant who died in the fire, underscoring the personal toll of the tragedy on the local community.