34 more children die in 48 hrs at BRD Medical College

Thirty-four children died in 48 hours at the BRD Medical College on Monday and Tuesday, official records of the hospital said.

The high number of deaths showed that the situation continued to be very alarming nearly a week after over 30 children died at the same hospital on August 10 and 11.

Twenty-four deaths took place on Monday alone, medical college principal PK Singh said. The Monday’s deaths included 15 in the neonatal ward (NICU), five in the acute encephalitis syndrome and four in other wards.

The 10 deaths on Tuesday were mentioned in the hospital’s official records. Out of them, seven were reported from NICU and three from AES ward.

The official records for deaths that took place on Wednesday were not available. The hospital releases the figures a day after the deaths.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath visited the hospital on Sunday and assured exemplary action against those found guilty of the August 10-11 tragedy.

Asked about a report submitted by district magistrate Rajeev Rautela to the state government, medical college principal PK Singh told reporters he had no information about it.

Asked why deaths were not checked despite high-profile visits, the medical college principal said: “See, this area is severely affected by brain fever (encephalitis). Most of the children who die are among those brought here in an extremely critical condition. They include newborn babies too.”