Four children died due to lack of oxygen supply in a government hospital of Chhattisgarh while 110 villagers in Chambal in north MP had to be administered drip under a tree after they suffered mass food poisoning. In another incident, 35 government doctors resigned in Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, protesting the inability of administration to protect them.
These three incidents, reported from three different places, have exposed the failing healthcare service in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
The death of four children in government-run B.R. Ambedkar Memorial Hospital (BRAMH) in Chhattisgarh's capital Raipur was due to disruption in oxygen supply resulting from the negligence of a hospital employee. Reports said oxygen cylinder operator Ravi Chandra slept off after consuming liquor, forgetting to monitor the level of oxygen supply in the emergency and pediatric ward.
Though Principal Secretary (Health) Subrat Sahu refuted reports that lack of oxygen supply caused the deaths of children, he was unable to reveal the cause of death. The babies were admitted to the pediatric ward of the hospital on Sunday.
The children were brought to hospital due to complications including low birth weight, respiratory issues, premature birth and other problems. They were put on ventilator support after check-ups. They died in the ventilator.
The government has constituted an inquiry committee headed by director of medical education and three other senior doctors.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Raman Singh said a probe is under way and the guilty will not be spared, adding that it was extremely unfortunate that such an incident occurred in the state and that he is deeply disturbed by it.
Though government is denying lack of oxygen as the reason for the death, the oxygen cylinder operator was arrested and produced in the court. He was later released on bail.
Meanwhile, over 110 people in Morena district of Chambal valley in north Madhya Pradesh had to be administered life saving drugs through drip under a tree after they suffered mass food poisoning. They fell ill after consuming panipuris from a local vendor.
As the news of food poisoning reached 40km away at Morena district headquarters, doctors rushed to the spot and administered the drip under a tree with bottles hanging from a rope to give first aid to the 110 people. Later, 40 people, who were in serious condition, were shifted to district hospital in Morena while the others were shifted to Joura sub-divisional headquarter.
On Monday, in another unrelated development in Tikamgarh district of Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh some 35 doctors posted in district hospital tendered their resignation, accusing the hospital administration of not being able to protect them. Some doctors in the hospital were assaulted a few days back, but no action was taken against the accused despite the complaint from the doctors.
