Gorakhpur Hospital Deaths: NHRC Sends Notice To Uttar Pradesh Govt, Seeks Report

A hospital official said 18 children have died in past three days at the facility. (Photo: AFP/ Representational)

The NHRC has sent a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government over the death of several children at a state-run hospital in Gorakhpur, observing that it indicated "gross callousness" on part of the health administration. (Photos: AFP)

According to the various media reports, carried since August 12, the private firm, contracted to supply liquid oxygen to the BRD Medical College, stopped the supplies, as it was not paid the outstanding dues of almost Rs 70 lakh and the result was tragic deaths of about 60 children, admitted in the neo-natal and encephalitis wards of the hospital, it said.

The camp was held from August 9-11 for the cases related to Uttar Pradesh. However, in spite of assurance given by the state administration, the "situation has not improved", the Commission observed.

The rights panel observed that the issue of death due to Japanese Encephalitis was discussed with the Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary and other senior officers of the state government in detail during the Commission's recently concluded open hearing and camp sitting in Lucknow.

There have been 1,250 deaths since January this year at the hospital, especially in encephalitis, infant and children's wards, he said.

A total of 290 children have died in the Baba Raghav Das Medical College here in the month of August, of which 213 died in the neo natal ICU and 77 in the encephalitis ward. (Photo: AFP)

The toll in January was 152 (143 in NICU and nine in encephalitis ward), in February it was 122 (117 and five), in March 159 (141 and 18), in April 123 (114 and nine), May 139 (127 and 12), June 137 (125 and 12), July 128 (95 and 33), he said.

The principal said children with different complications and ailments arising out of premature delivery, under weight, jaundice, pneumonia, infectious diseases and encephalitis are admitted to the hospital, mostly in a very serious condition.