55 children die in Nashik hospital due to unavailability of equipment

Between April and August, close to 187 children died. For 6,000 deliveries in the hospital, there is only one baby care unit. Hospital authorities say that the casualties have increased because of the spike in number of critical care children referred from other hospitals. 

In yet another case of mis-administration by hospital authorities after the Gorakhpur case, the Nashik Civil Hospital reported death of 55 infants due to lack of hospital infrastructure. In the month of August, 34 children from rural areas and the tribal belt of Nashik were admitted to the below-capacity hospital. 

Activists have alleged that between April and August this year, 187 children have died in the hospital. It has been alleged that most of the deaths have occurred because of lack of medical instruments like ventilators. Under the Central Government norm, for 3,000 deliveries, at least 16 special new born care units are required. In contrary to this, the Nashik Hospital has recorded over 6,000 deliveries, but has only one new born care unit. Dr Suresh Jagdale, Nashik district Civil Surgeon said, "There has been an increase in the number of admission of children who are sent to the civil hospital in a critical condition from private hospitals in the city and rural areas. Most of the patients admitted are critical. Because we are a Grade II hospital, ventilators required for children as well as personnel to handle emergencies are not there."

He also added that the government had a Rs 21 crore expansion plan for the hospital that will provide improved neonatal services. Hospital authorities owe it to low birth weight and advanced lung disorder among children who are referred to this hospital from other hospitals, thus increasing the death rate every month.