The BRD Medical College is back in the news. In the last 24 hours, nineteen children have died at the hospital — 13 at the neonatal ward, and six from Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES).
According to the reports, BRD Medical College principal PK Singh told The Indian Express, that twelve children died on October 7, twenty on October 8, eighteen died on October 9, and nineteen deaths were reported on October 10. Sixty-nine deaths have been reported since October 7.
The 19 children who have died in the last 24 hours include 13 newborns, and six others suffering from Acute Encephalitis Syndrome.
"There are 118 children admitted to NICU at present, of which 13 died due to different medical reasons," Singh said.
The Principal also said that of the 333 patients admitted to the pediatric ward, 109 children were suffering from Acute Encephalitis Syndrome. He further added that a large number of newborns brought to the hospital in critical condition. As BRD caters to a huge area and many come to the hospital from far-off places.
When asked about these deaths, Singh maintained, “Most of these deaths are in NICU due to various medical reasons, and the rest are due to AES.”
Little over two months ago, there was a nationwide uproar when the hospital reported 63 deaths. In August this year, several deaths were reported due to disruption of oxygen supply by the vendor. The Uttar Pradesh government faced severe criticism for their apathy.
A FIR was lodged against nine people, including the owner of the oxygen supplying company and the Principal. The chief of the hospital was suspended after the incident in August.
In the aftermath of the event, the National Human Rights Commission stepped in an issued a notice to the Yogi Adityanath Government saying it "has observed that reported deaths, in such a large number in a government-run hospital, amount to serious violation of Right to Life and Health of the innocent victims. This indicates towards gross callousness on part of the hospital administration and the Medical Education and Health Department of the Government of Uttar Pradesh. Earlier also, it has come across several instances of deaths in the hospitals due to Japanese Encephalitis."
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