Senior BJP leader and Opposition Chief Whip Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday slammed the Odisha government for the death of 13 children in Keonjhar District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) in just 18 days.
The BJP MLA demanded a thorough probe into the incident by a sitting judge of Orissa High Court.
Addressing a press meet, Majhi demanded stringent action against those responsible for the death of the children. He had written a letter to the government last year on September 22 over the deaths of children due to malnutrition. But, even after one year, the government did nothing to save the lives of the children, he alleged.
Majhi also alleged negligence in duty by the hospital authorities in the treatment of children due to dearth of doctors.
“Back on September 22, last year, I had written a letter to Keonjhar District Collector regarding the death of undernourished children in and around OMC Gandhamaran Suakati. But, the district administration did not take any step in this regard. This resulted in the death of innocent children now,” he said.
“Had the administration taken some steps, many lives would have been saved,” he added.
Worth mentioning, at least 13 children undergoing treatment at Keonjhar DHH reportedly died in 18 days. A total of 122 children have been admitted to the hospital this month so far, out of which 13 have died.
Locals have been alleging the absence of doctors and the lackadaisical attitude of the authorities for the tragic incidents.