This refers to the editorial, “Murder by any standard” (August 14). The death of more than 60 children in a span of a week in Gorakhpur has once again brought to fore the indifference of the State towards the plight of its subjects. It is shocking that the administration overlooked the red flags raised over the issue of emergency requisitioning for oxygen supply in the hospital and instead embroiled itself in the controversial ouster of the principal of Baba Raghav Das Medical College hospital, Rajeev Mishra. It is further disheartening that the State Government has learnt no lessons to reduce incidences of Japanese Encephalitis.
Poor sanitation, pathetic healthcare systems, inadequate public awareness campaign and apathy of the Government and the municipality results in the spread of the tropical disease every year in large proportions. It is time the concerned stakeholders stopped adding political colour to the tragedy and instead acknowledge administrative failure. Ensuring adoption of proper sanitation measures through massive public awareness campaign, scientific waste management, penalty for offenders responsible for keeping stagnant water at their premises, fumigation in all colonies and obligation for hospitals, public and private, to treat cases of dengue should be the priority of the Government. People need to embrace Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to complement the efforts of the Government.