Diphtheria, on Sunday, claimed two more lives at North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NMC) run Maharishi Valmiki Infectious Diseases Hospital at Kingsway Camp. With this, the toll of September in the city has risen to 26. The disease has acquired epidemic proportions with children succumbing to this deadly disease.
“From September 6 onwards, there have been over 203 admissions at the municipal hospital, out of which 25 have been declared dead,” a senior official said.
Out of 25, died at the NMC run hospital, 5 patients belonged to Delhi while the rest were from other states. One death was recorded at the Delhi Government run Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital.
Shockingly, one death from the infectious disease at the hospital was recorded on Saturday as well. The victim belonged to some other state.
Taking cognizance, the Medical Superintendent (MS) of the hospital was suspended by North Delhi mayor Adesh Gupta earlier this week for alleged lapses in connection with the deaths of these children at the facility.
Gupta had set up a panel a few days ago to look into the death cases and sought a report. “There were lapses, it seems, so we have taken the action. Further action will depend on what comes out in the report,” he said.
Another MS was appointed immediately.