At least 60 infants died in five days in the state-run Baba Raghav Das Medical College in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. According to reports, more than half of the deaths took place within 24 hours allegedly due to the lack of oxygen supply in the hospital. Yogi Adityanath government came under heavy fire for the tragedy for having denied cause of the deaths.
State Health Minister Siddharth Nath Singh rubbished all reports, and Gorakhpur District Magistrate Rajeev Rautela said, “No death in BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur has taken place due to shortage of oxygen supply. Only seven deaths have taken place at the BRD Medical College and these were due to different medical reasons.” Hospital authorities, however, admitted that the firm that was supplying oxygen had stopped supplies due to pending bills. Principal of the medical college was suspended, after it was disclosed that the funds for dues were only transferred on August 11, a hasty move made after the deaths hit national headlines.
Authorities said reason for the delay will be probed and that the entire situation was completely avoidable. The supplier's demand for payment amounting Rs 6500,000 reached the state government in Lucknow on August 1, and the funds were released to the college on August 5. They said that even when CM Adityanath visited the hospital on August 9, no one mentioned the issue with supply of oxygen.
