JOIN USThe infant death toll in Sardar Ballavbhai Patel Post Graduate Institute of Paediatrics, Odisha’s premier government-run exclusive health centre for children located in Cuttack near here has gone up to 26 with the hospital recording one more death of a newborn on Tuesday.
All these deaths have taken place in the prestigious institute in the last five days. Monday alone had recorded eight deaths including four within a short span of just an hour.
While the state government’s health and family welfare department is inquiring into the deaths through multiple agencies, Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has sent a notice to the government on the issue. The human rights body directed the state health secretary and superintendent of Sishu Bhawan to furnish their replies within three weeks taking cognizance of the development suo motu.
The matter was also debated in the state assembly on Tuesday with the Opposition Congress and BJP members lambasting the Naveen Patnaik-led government on the issue. Some of the Opposition members demanded the resignation of health minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak holding him responsible for the deteriorating public health services in the state.
However, ruling BJD members described the Opposition members’ demand as unjustified. They said, the resignation of the health minister would not solve the problem.