Health Minister Damodar Rout has ordered a high-level inquiry into the death of as many as nine newborns at the VSS Medical College Hospital at Burla in Sambalpur district on Thursday and Friday, said Health Secretary Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra in a Press release here on Saturday.
The State Government has asked Director of Medical Education and Training (DMET) Dr Sunamali Bag and Director of Sishu Bhavan (paediatric hospital in Cuttack) Dr Niranjan Parida to probe the shocking matter after visiting the hospital. They have been asked to submit a report regarding the cause of the death of the kids and preventive measures, said Mohapatra.
It may be noted that the nine deceased children were admitted in the Sick Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (SNICU) of the VSS Medical College Hospital within 24 hours from Thursday and Friday.
The locals were infuriated and blocked the road at Netaji Chowk of Burla demanding a high-level inquiry. The irate mob also gheraoed the office of hospital superintendent protesting negligence in treatment of the newborns.
The civil bodies like Bharasa Paribar of Burla said the nine newborn babies died because of the negligence of the medical authorities. “The death of the babies in just 24 hours is surprising and painful for a civilised nation,” said Nihal Singh of Bharasa Paribar.
Sambalpur District Congress Committee president Rajkishore Das demanded an inquiry into the matter and action against the medical staff for negligence in treatment of the babies. He also demanded compensation for the deceased’s family.
Burla unit of the Congress would call for Burla Bandh on Monday demanding resignation of the Chief Minister and the Health Minister, Das informed.
BJP State president KV Singh Deo on Saturday blasted the State Government over the death of nine infants at the VSS Medical College Hospital within a span of 24 hours and demanded a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to each victim’s family.
Stating that the health service network has totally failed to check such crisis, Singh Deo alleged that the situation, especially in western Odisha and tribal belts, is a matter of great concern.
Though there are 1,226 public health centres (PHCs) and 377 community health centres (CHCs) functioning across the State, due to doctors’ unavailability patients are deprived of getting treatment, he said, alleging that more than 50 per cent of these health centres are run by pharmacists and homoeopathic and Ayurvedic doctors.