Jolted by the catastrophe that hit BRD College Hospital in Gorakhpur where over 70 children died in last seven days, BJP MP Varun Gandhi has pledged Rs 5 crore from his MP local Area Development Fund to build state-of the art Children Hospital in Sultanpur.
“I spoke to DM and CMO of Sultanpur and have pledged Rs 5 crore from my MPlAD fund to build a model pediatric wing with state of the art infrastructure in the district hospital,” Varun said in a statement issued here on Monday.
He said that there will be a matching grant of Rs 5 crore more to be raised personally through donations and collections from Corporate Social Responsibility funding. “I envision that with sufficient additional funds from external donors this pediatrics wing will be functioning full swing in six months from now,” he said.
He said he had already issued Rs 5 crore for this purpose.
“The human tragedy in Gorakhpur has left me jolted. While grieving the terrible loss of lives of all the children, the incident must act as an impetus to take actions that serve as a deterrent against reoccurrence of such an event,” Varun said in his statement.
He said the wing would also include an in-house research centre that would work on matters of child healthcare and prevention of several water/air-borne diseases that could affect these defenceless children. “The wing would also provide free vaccination for children under the National Vaccine Programme. It would also set up a pharmacy within the hospital premises for providing medicines to children at a lower cost,” he said.
The wing would have 24x7 access to water for drinking and sanitation, electricity and oxygen supply. Under the wing three ambulances will be operating catering specifically to children. “Additional donations and collections from CSR funding will be utilized for purchase of equipments and setting up of laboratories for the wing,” Varun said.
“It is my hope that other MPs who represent a rural constituency, also initiate something similar in The irrespective areas to ensure good heath for our children,” he said.
He ended the letter seeking suggestions from people concerned.