‘DM says oxygen crisis led to some kids’ death’

SOURCES SAY THE DM’S REPORT CLAIMS THE NOW SUSPENDED BRD PRINCIPAL WAS AWARE OF THE OXYGEN CRISIS BUT DID NOT ACT AND WENT ON LEAVE AFTER CM YOGI’S VISIT TO THE HOSPITAL ON AUGUST 9

Some children admitted in the encephalitis and neonatal wards in the BRD Medical College hospital died on August 10-11 due to oxygen crisis, says a report from the Gorakhpur district administration sent to the Yogi Adityanath government.

Top government officers here, however, refused to comment or confirm such a report.

The state government had ordered a magisterial inquiry into the deaths on August 12. Gorakhpur DM Rajeev Routela was directed to complete the probe and send his report to the chief secretary. Rautela has indicted the doctors, paramedical staff and clerks of the medical college.

According to sources, the DM’s report said Rajiv Mishra, the now suspended principal of the medical college, was aware of the oxygen crisis but failed to alert senior officers in the medical education and health departments.

Instead, he went on leave after chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s visit to the medical college on August 9. He did not inform the chief minister about the oxygen crisis and payment of dues to the supplier, sources said.

The DM has demanded strict action against the oxygen supplier, Pushpa Sales, for stopping the supply due to delay in payment of ₹69 lakh owed to it.

The report also indicts Dr Satish Kumar, member of the purchase committee who went on leave on August 11 without taking permission. The report also blames Dr Kafeel Khan, the then in-charge of the encephalitis ward, for the crisis and death of children, sources said.

A health department official said the DM had also ordered action against paramedical staff Gajanan Jaiswal, who maintained a log book of the oxygen supply, and clerks in the finance section of the medical college.

Chief secretary Rajive Kumar confirmed receiving the report from the district magistrate but did not disclose its content.