Amid the politics over the continuing deaths of infants at the government-run J.K. Lon Children’s Hospital in Kota, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday asked Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan to visit it and to get himself apprised of the facts.
The Congress government has come under attack following the deaths, which touched the figure of 100 in December 2019, while three children died on the first two days of the New Year. Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath have questioned the silence of senior Congress leaders over the deaths.
Infant deaths in Rajasthan’s Kota rises to 100
Mr. Gehlot said his government was sensitive to the situation in Kota and claimed that some “mischievous elements” were highlighting the issue to divert attention from other important subjects. He asked the Opposition parties not to indulge in politics, while pointing out that infant mortality in the hospital was steadily declining.
“We will try to reduce it further. It is our top priority to keep mothers and children healthy... An expert team of the Centre is welcome to visit and help improve health services. We are ready to consult them and work with their cooperation,” Mr. Gehlot tweeted.
Mr. Gehlot said: “Harsh Vardhan Ji is himself a doctor and if he visits the hospital in Kota, it will also clarify the situation for people, who are giving [their] reactions mischievously, knowingly, unknowingly and also innocently.”
Kota infant deaths: Centre to send high-level team
The Centre has decided to send a high-level team comprising experts from AIIMS, Jodhpur, and health economists to the hospital to assess the infrastructural gaps and decide on the measures to be taken to prevent further deaths. The team will carry out an analysis of clinical protocols, service delivery and availability of manpower and equipment at the hospital.
According to the figures released by the hospital administration, the infant mortality has shown a declining trend, with the deaths of the children among those admitted with various diseases reported at 7.62% in 2014, 7.17% in 2015, 6.66% in 2016, 5.96% in 2017, 6.11% in 2018 and 5.61% in 2019.
In absolute numbers, 963 infants died in 2019, against 1,005 in 2018. Against the death of 100 children in December 2019 and 101 in November 2019, 77 infants lost their lives in December 2018 and 76 in November 2018.
