Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath Yogi and Union Health Minister JP Nadda visited the BRD Medical College and Hospital in Gorpkahpur on Sunday as a four-year-old boy died of encephalitis, taking the death count to over 72 in the last six days.
After the visit, the CM said exemplary action would be taken against those found responsible for the scores of deaths since last week at a State Government-run hospital here.
The Chief Minister said if the children died because of lack of oxygen, responsibility should 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 it,” he said.
While addressing the media at a Press conference along with Yogi on Sunday in Gorakhpur earlier in the day, Nadda said the Central Government will set up a regional medical centre in Gorakhpur for research into vector-borne diseases among children.
“The Union Government has approved 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 regional
centre before coming here,” Nadda said.
During the last parliamentary session, I had assured Yogi ji that a full-fledged institute will soon be set up, he said.
After initial denial that any death took place due to lack of oxygen, the Government now seemed to be looking into reports that payment delay forced the contractor to stop supply of oxygen cylinders.
The Uttar Pradesh Government has asked Chief Secretary Rajiv Kumar to submit a report by August 9.
“The committee headed by the Chief Secretary is conducting a probe into the death of children in last few days,” Yogi said.
In a related development, the UP Government has asked all the medical colleges to ensure that there is no shortage of medicines or oxygen, days after children died Gorakhpur.
According to news agency ANI, 11 children died on Saturday and until Friday the death toll stood at 60.
Nadda said the Union Government is extending all possible support to the State Government.
“The Centre has taken initiatives for UP as well as for Gorakhpur, whether it is the establishment of an AIIMS or an ICMR centre,” he said.
The CM said the geography of Gorakhpur of east UP is such that we cannot win the war against vector-borne diseases until we have 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,” Yogi said.
As news about the CM’s visit reached officials, activities in the BRD College Hospital increased. The wards were cleaned and over 100 cylinders were made available and were piled up in the store room. The CM held a long meeting with officials and then went around the pediatrics department and spoke to patients about the treatment they were getting.
He said the PM had expressed concern over the deaths, and was constantly monitoring the situation.