Nine Newborn Babies Die In Indian Govt Hospital

New Delhi, July 21, IRNA - Nine newborn babies have died at the state-run VSS Medical College and Hospital in Burla in Odisha state, during the last 24 hours, leading the state government to order an investigation. ˈThe nine deaths were reported in the neonatal care centre of hospital since last morning. All of them were kept in incubators as they were premature babies,ˈ pti reported quoting Superintendent of the hospital, Laxmikant Dash. Denying negligence by the hospital, he said most of the premature babies were seriously ill since birth, underweight, anemic and with respiratory problems. One of the babies weighed barely 560 gram and the deaths during a short span was only a coincidence, Dash said. ˈHowever, the matter is being looked into and I have asked the head of the pediatric department to submit a report immediately,ˈ Dash said. The Director Medical Education and Training and Sishu Bhawan director have been asked to inquire into the matter, Health Minister Damodar Rout said. Preliminary reports indicated that most of the babies were ill since birth, but a clear picture would emerge after an inquiry, he said. There was tension in the hospital as parents and relatives of the babies held the hospital authorities responsible./end