As per records, we have fewer deaths than last year: govt. committee

The deaths of dozens of children and others at the Baba Raghav Das Medical College Hospital in Gorakhpur were not caused by shortage of oxygen supply, a three-member Central government committee said on Wednesday.

“Infact, the number of deaths have reduced compared to last year,’’ said Dr. Harish Chellani, Safdarjung Hospital, Pediatric Department, who was part of the team said.

The team visited the hospital on Saturday amid allegations that a private contractor stopped supplying oxygen, resulting in the death of over 40 children.

“The committee had submitted an interim report on Monday and we are all set to submit the final report today [Wednesday] to the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry,’’ Dr. Chellani told The Hindu.

“As per information and data provided to us, it doesn’t look like the deaths have all happened due to shortage of oxygen. As per the records, we have fewer deaths when compared to the figures at the same time last year.”

The team comprises experts from the Lady Hardinge Medical College, Safdarjung Hospital and from the Ministry’s Immunisation Deprtament.

IMA sends team

Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has sent a three-member team to investigate the matter and submit a report by Thursday.

“We as doctors across India want to know if it was the oxygen system failure that caused so many deaths. The other questions that need answers include – why was the alarm not given a week back, why was the oxygen supply allowed to cease, what were the engineers doing during this period and was there any medical negligence in treatments? The aim is to quickly identify if these deaths were medically avoidable or was it a case of administrative negligence,’’ IMA national president Dr. K.K. Aggarwal said.