BRD Hospital Records 433 Child Deaths in a Month. Should Kerala Still Follow UP?
Image Courtesy: IndiaSpend
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath claims that the Kerala should learn from his government how to run infirmaries, but the data shows that the Northern Indian state stands nowhere in front of the healthcare system in the South Indian state.
According to the data provided by Baba Raghav Das (BRD) Medical College and Hospital in UP’s Gorakhpur district, a total of 433 children – highest in the past four years – died in September this year.
BRD had been in the spotlight for the past few months following the deaths of nearly 60 children because of lack of oxygen supply between 7 and 11 August.
The horror returned to BRD once again in less than three weeks with 42 children dying in 48 hours from August 30.
After the tragedy hit headlines, the government swung into action and suspended their staff, including doctors, for alleged dereliction of duty and corruption. Cases were filed against them and they were sent behind bars.
With an aim to improve the medical care, 20 new doctors were appointed at the BRD Medical College’s paediatrics department. But no improvement was observed. Against 372 deaths of children in September last year, 433 newborns died in the same month this year.
A maximum number of deaths were reported from the BRD’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) – an intensive care unit designed for premature and ill newborn babies – where 247 breathed their last in the previous month.
In addition, 186 children died of encephalitis and other diseases in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
The number of deaths that took place so far in BRD Medical College is highest in the past four years. In 2014, this number stood at 302 and it went up to 378 in 2015. The year 2016 recorded a marginal decline by registering 372 death of children.
In fact, comparing UP and Kerala may not be such a great idea for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). If one compares the data obtained from National Family Health Survey (2015-16) and National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (until August 20, 2017), there is no-contest between UP and Kerala.
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are the author's personal views, and do not necessarily represent the views of Newsclick.
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