Kota tragedy: Health minister Harsh Vardhan writes to Rajasthan CM; Death toll at 103

 Union health minister Harsh Vardhan said on January 2 that he has written to Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, requesting him to look into the matter and assured him of "all kind of support" from the Centre on the same.  

New Delhi: With the death toll of infants in JK Lone Hospital in Rajasthan's Kota mounting to over 100 in nearly a month, Union health minister Harsh Vardhan said on January 2 that he has written to Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, requesting him to look into the matter and assured him of "all kind of support" from the Centre on the same.

"I have written a letter to Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot requesting him to look into the matter. We have assured all kind of support from our side. The number of deaths is definitely higher this time compared to last few years," Vardhan said.

He also urged for a joint effort by administration, doctors and others to evaluate the cause and ensure that there was no lack of facility at the hospital.

"I believe that all people concerned, including the state government, hospital administration, doctors should get into the depth of the matter and if they need any sort of help, including the financial assistance, they should ask for it so that there is no lack of facility," he added.

Three more children died in the JK Lone hospital in Rajasthan's Kota district on the first two days of the new year, taking the death toll to 103, an official said on Thursday.

All three died during treatment. While one was admitted here due to drastic weight loss, the other two were transferred from another hospital.

The three-member state government committee of doctors was sent to investigate the matter on December 23 and 24.

After examining the situation at the hospital, the Rajasthan government committee found that Kota's JK Lone Hospital is short of beds and requires improvement.

However, the committee gave a clean chit to the doctors for any lapses over the recent death of infants admitted there.

 As per a government report, at least 91 infants lost their lives at the government hospital in December, following which, the Ashok Gehlot-led government has become the target of heavy criticism.