Gorakhpur child deaths: IMA report cites ‘administrative negligence’

The death of 72 children in a Gorakhpur hospital was due to “administrative negligence” on the part of doctors and not clinical negligence, an inquiry report by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has said.

An inquiry report by Gorakhpur District Magistrate Rajeev Rautela puts the onus on the supplier of oxygen, and his firm, as also the head of the anaesthesia department at BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur.

However, the IMA report said: “Although there is no evidence of medical clinical negligence against Rajiv Mishra (Principal, BRD Medical College) and Kafeel Khan (Assistant Professor and Nodal Officer, Encephalitis Ward, Department of Paediatrics), prima facie it appears that a case of administrative negligence against them cannot be ruled out. Hence, administrative inquiry and action may be taken against them.”

The report notes that the supply of liquid oxygen was disrupted for a short while on the night of August 10, when 23 children died, and also that the supplier had not been paid for five-six months.

BRD Medical College has been functioning in unacceptable conditions and over its capacity as well, the report said. “Cleanliness of hospital and wards was unsatisfactory. Presence of dogs and rats in hospitals is not acceptable by any standards,” it added.

Referring to the conditions in nearby hospitals, the report said: “There is no facility in Gorakhpur and nearby districts to manage encephalitis… There is a lack of staff — paediatricians, nurses and other paramedical staff — in primary health centres and community health centres.”

Besides the lack of staff and resources, the report also mentions the alarming conditions in intensive care units (ICUs) in hospitals of at least 10 districts in the Poorvanchal area.

The IMA has recommended that a week’s back-up supply of essential drugs and oxygen be maintained at each hospital and that all hospitals, including the publicly funded ones, should be accredited.

COMMENT NOW