Serious Lapses At Kota Hospital Cause Of Infant Deaths: NCPCR Report

Following the continuous series of deaths at the J K Lon Hospital at Kota, apex child rights body NCPCR found broken windows and gates, pigs roaming around and acute shortage of staff in the hospital. A team from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights had visited the hospital after 940 children died this year in the hospital. A show-cause notice has been issued to the concerned authorities.

Key Takeaways:

• 940 Children died this year at the J K Lon Hospital Kota. While 12 infants had died last week, 77 infants died this month till December 24. 14 more infants died after December 24 increasing the number to 91.
• After the continuous stream of deaths, a team from the National Commission For Protection of Child Rights visited the hospital for inquiry
• In their report, they have cited worst maintenance as the cause of the deaths, since no glass in windows and broken doors led to children struggling in extreme weather condition.
• Not only the infrastructure, but there was also a shortage of staff in the hospital and pigs were found roaming around at the place. 

A team from the National Commission For Protection Of Child Rights reached the hospital and found broken windows and doors and pigs roaming around in the hospital. Not only this, but the hospital is also facing an acute shortage of staff.

12 Deaths In A Week, 77 In A Month, And 940 This Year

The J K Lon Hospital at Kota has been hit by 940 deaths this year. Though the hospital authorities cited this as not an 'unusual incident', the chief minister Ashok Gehlot had rushed the state Health Secretary Vaibhav Galriya to take stock of the situation. “Action against the officials held responsible for the deaths would be initiated following receipt of the detailed report by the high-level committee set up to investigate the matter,” said Mr. Galriya.

In 2014, 15,719 patients were admitted, out of which 1,198 died. In 2019, 16,892 patients were admitted out of which, 940 died.

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14 More Deaths Between December 25-29

Between December 25 and December 29, 14 more infants died at the hospital, leading to an immediate inquiry. A team from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights reached the hospital and found broken windows and doors and pigs roaming around in the hospital. Not only this, but the hospital is also facing an acute shortage of staff. “It is evident that there was no glass in windows panes, gates were broken and as a result, the admitted children were suffering from the extreme weather conditions,”  Priyank Kanoongo, Chairperson, National Commission For Protection Of Child Rights said.

Hospital With The History Of Deaths

The J K Lon Hospital at Kota has a continuous trend of deaths. Though, according to the official data, the hospital has witnessed a decline in such deaths in the last six years. In 2014, 15,719 patients were admitted, out of which 1,198 died. In 2019, 16,892 patients were admitted out of which, 940 died.

Picture Credit: Dailyhunt

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