Keonjhar: At least 13 children undergoing treatment in the district headquarters hospital in Odisha’s Keonjhar have reportedly died in the last 18 days.
The family members of deceased babies alleged that their children died due to medical negligence. They claimed that the doctors did not visit the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of the hospital in time, leading to the deaths of the babies.
While Assistant Divisional Medical Officer (ADMO) Kishore Prusty confirmed about death of four children in the last 24 hours, unofficial sources claimed that six children died in the last 12 hours. Following the death of the babies, their family members created a ruckus holding in the hospital accusing the authorities responsible of the deaths on Sunday.
On being informed, the local Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) and the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) went to the hospital. They tried to pacify the agitated families by assuring them of looking into the matter and penalising the persons responsible for the deaths.
The hospital authorities were yet to comment on the allegations, while the cause of the deaths is yet to be ascertained.
Meanwhile, Health and Family Welfare Minster Naba Kisore Das asked the Keonjhar District Administration to look into the matter and submit an action taken report immediately.
