Against the backdrop of death of children in BRD Medical College hospital, Union Health Minister JP Nadda said that a regional medical centre would be set up in Gorakhpur to deal with vector-borne diseases of children even as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reiterated his commitment to punish those found guilty in the probe.
“The Union government has approved the setting up of a regional medical centre at a cost of Rs 85 crore in Gorakhpur for in-depth research into children’s diseases. I have approved the proposal for the regional centre before coming here,” Nadda said while addressing a press conference along with Yogi Adityanath in Gorakhpur on Sunday.
Nadda said the Union government was extending all possible support to the state government. He said AIIMS was coming to Gorakhpur and now ICMR centre would be also set up there.
The Centre has taken initiatives for UP as well as for Gorakhpur, whether it is establishment of an AIIMS or an ICMR centre,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that the geography of Gorakhpur in eastern UP was such that the war against vector-borne diseases could not be won
until there was a full-fledged viral research centre.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given AIIMS, we have started it. But, there should be a full-fledged viral research centre in Gorakhpur,” he added.
Yogi Adityanath reiterated his government’s commitment to punish those responsible for the deaths of innocent children in BRD Medical College hospital, saying those found guilty in the probe would be sternly dealt with.
“The committee headed by the Chief Secretary is conducting a probe into the deaths of children in the last few days in BRD Medical College hospital. Those found guilty in the probe will be punished,” Yogi said.
The Chief Minister, who was supposed to visit the flood ravaged areas of Bahraich and Barabanki, cancelled his programme and flew to Gorakhpur with Union Health Minister JP Nadda to get a first hand account of the tragic deaths of 69 children in the last six days.
He said if the children died because of lack of oxygen, responsibility would be fixed and the guilty would be brought to book.
“This is my commitment to the people that I will not spare the corrupt and will adhere to my words,” he said.
Chief Secretary Rajive Kumar has been asked to submit the report by August 19.
Activities increased in the BRD Medical College hospital once the news about CM’s inspection reached officials. The wards were cleaned up and over 100 oxygen cylinders were made available and stored in the store room.
The CM held a long meeting with officials and then went round the paediatric department and spoke to patients about the treatment they were getting.
Yogi added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed concern over the deaths and was constantly monitoring the situation.