'Virar fire mishap not national news': Maha Health Minister's insensitive remark

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Friday said that the fire incident at Vijay Vallabh COVID care hospital in the Virar area of Maharashtra's Palghar district in which 13 patients lost their lives is 'not national news'. "In today's meeting with the PM, we will talk about Oxygen, Remdesivir, an adequate quantity of vaccines for the State...also the Virar fire incident, it is not national news. The state govt will provide financial assistance to those affected. The state government will provide financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh and the Mahanagar Palika will also provide Rs 5 lakhs," Rajesh Tope said At least 13 patients died on Friday after a fire broke out at an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the COVID hospital.