Tragedy in BRD again: 30 children die in 48 hours
Gorakhpur's Baba Raghav Das (BRD) Medical College Hospital in UP is once again in the news. This time, at least 30 children have died in just two days at the hospital. At least 15 of them were younger than a month. BRD first grabbed headlines in August, when over 60 children died in a matter of days allegedly due to disruption in oxygen supply.
Encephalitis was a prime killer this time
Unlike the August fiasco, the major reason for the deaths this time was encephalitis, confirmed Dr DK Srivastava, head of the community medicine department. "Fifteen infant were younger than one month. Six of the remaining 15, who were older than a month, passed away due to encephalitis. Others died due to various other reasons," he said.
A string of children's deaths at BRD, more than once
The August tragedy had grabbed international headlines. The mishap happened allegedly after vendors cut off oxygen supply to BRD over pending dues of Rs. 65L. The government vehemently denied the allegations. However, the then BRD College principal, the neonatal ward in-charge and other employees were sacked for negligence. In October, the government hospital made the news again when 16 children died in 24 hours.
