Alarm Over Infant Deaths In Kota! 9 Newborns Die Within Hours In Same Hospital Which Saw Spate of Deaths Last Year

An unusual number of infants had died last year in the same facility. In December 2019, over 100 infants died at the hospital, triggering a furore.

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J K Lon Hospital in Rajasthan’s Kota city has hit the headlines yet again over infant deaths, the issue which had led to nationwide criticism of the state-run hospital last year. Nine infants reportedly died in the same hospital within hours leading to serious questions over the hospital services. An unusual number of infants had died last year in the same facility. In December 2019, over 100 infants died at the hospital, triggering a furore. As per reports, 5 of the newborns died during Wednesday night and four more on Thursday at the Hospital. The deceased children were between 1-4 days old. Health Minister Raghu Sharma  has ordered an enquiry in the matter.  Hospital Superintendent Suresh Dulara, however, claimed that the deaths were natural with no unusual or severe reason or infection, reported PTI. In a statement, it was said that the report that was forwarded to the health minister by the Kota medical college principal cited 3 infants as brought-dead, as many died due to congenital malformations and the rest were sudden infant deaths. Divisional Commissioner K C Meena and District Collector Ujjawal Rathore visited the hospital on Thursday evening and held a meeting. Meena directed the health authorities to immediately deploy six extra doctors and 10 nurses to monitor the situation and start a newly-constructed ward by Friday. Sharma asked the officials to conduct a primary inquiry into the matter and sought a report. He has directed the principals of all medical colleges in the state to take special care towards the treatment of newborns. What happened in 2019? As many as 100 infants who were admitted at Kota’s J.K Lon hospital lost their lives in December. The sudden deaths of the infants had sparked nationwide concerns. Citing  government figures, a report said that 963 infants succumbed to death in 2019. The Gehlot government found itself at the Centre of the criticism over the situation.