Gorakhpur deaths: NHRC notice to UP government -Governance Now

Gorakhpur deaths: NHRC notice to UP government

Notice to Uttar Pradesh government over deaths of several children in BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur

GN Bureau | August 14, 2017

#NHRC #Gorakhpur #BRD medical college #children #death #Uttar Pradesh #oxygen supply #Lucknow

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government following the death of several children in the BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur. The commission has called for a detailed report along with the steps taken for relief and rehabilitation of the affected families as well as action taken against the guilty officers within four weeks.

The notice sent to the UP chief secretary follows the suo motu cognizance taken by the rights commission of several media reports hinting at negligence in the supply of liquid oxygen at the hospital, which resulted in the tragedy.

NHRC observed that the 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 gross callousness on part of the hospital administration and the medical education and health department of the state. Earlier too, it has come across several instances of deaths in the hospitals due to Japanese Encephalitis.

The commission observed that the issue of deaths due to Japanese Encephalitis was discussed with the chief secretary and other senior officers of the state government in detail during its Open Hearing and Camp Sitting at Lucknow for the cases of Uttar Pradesh from August 9 to 11. However, in spite of assurance given by the state administration, the situation has not improved.

According to the various media reports, carried since August 12, the private firm contracted to supply liquid oxygen to the BRD Medical College, stopped the supplies, as it was not paid the outstanding dues of almost Rs. 70 Lakh and the result was deaths of about 60 children who were admitted in the neo-natal and encephalitis wards of the hospital.

As per media reports, the magisterial inquiry has been ordered by the administration to ascertain the cause of deaths. In the last three decades, JE and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) have claimed over 50,000 lives in eastern Uttar Pradesh, mostly in Gorakhpur district.

A total of 124 deaths were reported in the hospital till August 8, 2017. As many as 641 children died last year and 491 in the year 2015.

Comments

Other News

Khadi sets new record for single-day sale at Delhi shop

On Gandhi Jayanti this year, the Khadi India outlet in Connaught Place in the capital once again set a new record of khadi sales in a single day. In a single day, the Khadi India showroom at Connaught Place marked sale of Rs. 1.34 crore and broke its own previous record of Rs. 1.01 crore se

Mumbai Metro: Delay on Tracks

In Mumbai, the ninth most populous and congested city on the planet, high rentals compel citizens to spend five hours on an average travelling to work every day. Mumbai’s Metro Rail System extending towards Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) will not only provide East-West connectivity

Sustainable tourism is responsible tourism

Tourism is a huge part of global culture nowadays and is also one of the biggest sources of revenue across the world. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), in 2019, the tourism industry contributed $8.9 trillion or 10.3% to the global GDP. The industry witnessed a massive lull in 2020 d

Fernandes: A Life as Legacy

The Life and Times of George Fernandes By Rahul Ramagundam Penguin/New India Foundation, 624 pages, Rs 799 Amer

India set to enter 5G era

After years of intense preparation, India is about to take the next step in information and communication technology. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch 5G services in India on October 1 and also inaugurate the 6th Edition of India Mobile Congress 2022 to be held till October 4, at Pragati Maidan, Ne

Ram Shravan Manan: A musical venture that leads to self-reflection

There is this popular saying that epics are never told, but always retold. Ramayana is one such epic and needs no introduction. Its plot is grounded in sacrifice and the end brings out hope that the good always wins. But how is a centuries-old tale of the prince of Ayodhya still relevant for today’s