Infant death toll climbs to 28 at Sishu Bhawan

Cuttack: Infant death toll at Sishu Bhawan in Cuttack reached 28 after one more toddler died this afternoon. The infant was forwarded from Derbis area of Kendrapara district few days back.

Yesterday night four infants breathed their last in a span of 1 hour at the paediatrics centre which is popularly known as Sishu Bhawan. As many as eight deaths were reported yesterday only.

Meanwhile, taking suo motu cognisance of the infant deaths at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Post Graduate Institute of Paediatrics, popularly known as Sishu Bhawan here, Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) yesterday sought report from the State government.

In a notice, it has asked Health Secretary, National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) director and superintended of Sishu Bhawan to submit a report on the incident within three weeks.
Sources said these infants were referred to Sishu Bhawan from Banki, Paradip, Nayagarh and Anandpur hospitals for treatment.

Health minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak has ordered a probe into the matter.

“We are trying to investigate the complaints to understand what exactly happened. CDMO will submit a report on today. The health department will examine the report and based on the recommendation, action will be taken,” said Nayak.