Sambalpur, July 25: Social organisations and health activists here have demanded a judicial probe into the death of nine infants at the VSS Medical College and Hospital in Burla within 24 hours.
They have alleged that the government was fooling the people by constituting four teams for the purpose of inquiry. Nine newborns had died at the sick and newborn care unit (SNCU) of the hospital on July 19 and 20.
The activists alleged that shifting of the paediatric ward of the hospital was the major reason behind infant deaths.
“Earlier, the SNCU had 24 beds. After the shifting of the paediatric ward, the number of the beds of the unit was increased to 40. Though the unit does not have adequate facility for 40 patients, the number of beds was increased here,” said advisor of Odisha Medical Workers’ Association of medical college and hospital branch Nihal Singh.
“The SNCU does not have the required oxygen cylinders for 40 patients. Moreover, the light system of the warmer machine at the special newborn care unit was also not working properly. Though the hospital authorities were aware of these facts, they increased the number of beds at the SNCU,” said Bhagirathi Panda, a social activist and a member of the Bharsa Parivar, a social organisation.
“The inquiry team headed by director medical education and training ignored these facts and hurriedly submitted a report giving a clean chit to the hospital authorities. We are not satisfied with this step of the government. We demand a judicial inquiry,” said Panda.