Hosp horror: 31 deaths in 48 hrs ‘for lack of oxygen’
GORAKHPUR TRAGEDY Magisterial probe ordered; Opposition parties lambast govt
GORAKHPUR: In a 48-hour deadly run at the BRD Medical College here, 31 children died allegedly due to lack of oxygen, as the private firm that supplied the gas stopped supply because of non-clearance of outstanding dues of ₹70 lakh.
Most of the deaths of kids, as small as newborns and up to 15-year- olds, were reported from the neo-natal and encephalitis wards.
The reports of deaths come a day after the two-day visit of chief minister Yogi Adityanath to Gorakhpur. During his visit, the CM had taken stock of medical arrangements at the encephalitis wards of the medical college and also held review meetings with top officials, including chief secretary, medical education.
A magisterial probe has been ordered into the deaths that occurred between Wednesday and Friday noon, district magistrate Rajeev Rautela said at a hurriedly called press conference.
The Union home ministry, meanwhile, said according to an official of Gorakhpur, 21 children died due to shortage in supply of liquid oxygen.
“As per Gorakhpur official, 21 children died due to shortage in supply of liquid oxygen in BRD Medical College. Senior officers are on the spot. Exact cause is being verified by civil administration,” a home ministry spokesperson said. The incident triggered a spate of reactions from the opposition parties, with the Samajwadi Party and the Congress seeking the resignation of the state health minister.
The DM told newspersons: “We have been told that BRD witnessed disturbance in liquid oxygen supply since last night (Thursday night) as the supplier withdrew supply owing to nonpayment of dues. Also, BRD principal said that out of the outstanding dues of ₹70 lakh, ₹35 lakh had been paid to the Lucknow-based firm (Pushpa Sales Co) that supplied oxygen but the firm alleged that they had not received the payment yet.”.
Rautela added: “Since last night (Thursday night) till today (Friday) noon seven deaths, including two at neo-natal ward, three at encepwhalitis ward and two at general ward, have occurred. Also between August 9 night and August 10 night 14, 3 and 6 deaths in neo-natal, encephalitis and general wards respectively, have been reported. In this way a total of 30 deaths have occurred in the last 48 hours.”
Asked if the supply of oxygen was responsible for the deaths, he said “this question was specifically asked from the medical college and its principal categorically said that no deaths have occurred due to lack of oxygen.
The DM said the medical college doctors also told him that they had made alternative arrangements for oxygen supply to deal with the emergency situation.
The DM added that oxygen cylinders were also made available from the adjoining Sant Kabirnagar district.
BRD Medical College is the biggest medical facility in eastern Uttar Pradesh and caters to patients from over 12 districts and also Nepal.
At any given time there are about 1000 patients, kids and adults, admitted at the hospital.