Call to action at the Sishu Bhawan

The Odisha government has recently stated to the media there was "no clinical negligence" committed at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Post-Graduate Institute of Paediatrics (Sishu Bhawan) at Cuttack in connection with the spurt of infant deaths in past several days.

Health Secretary Arti Ahuja said there was management and administrative negligence at the referral hospital, popularly known as Sishu Bhawan, as reported by IANS.

"As per the report submitted by Director of Medical Education and Training (DMET), there was management and administrative shortcomings at Sishu Bhawan. Action will be taken against responsible people for the death of infants," Ahuja told media persons here.

The Odisha government has also stated to the press, as further confirmed by IANS, that appropriate action would be taken after going through the inquiry report on the deaths of over 50 infants at the Sishu Bhawan hospital in Cuttack.

The fact-finding committee headed by the DMET was asked to submit a detailed report in the matter.

"We have received the inquiry report and will examine the suggestions and recommendations. Appropriate action would be taken based on the report," said health secretary Arati Ahuja.

Besides, additional infrastructure would be created including increase in number of wards and ICUs at Sishu Bhawan. A detailed action plan would also be prepared for management of the referral hospital, said Ahuja. Meanwhile, the Odisha government on Tuesday transferred Sishu Bhawan Superintendent Niranjan Mohanty to Berhampur MKCG Medical College and Hospital.

The urgent action by the healthcare ministry at the tertiary care referral hospital, Sishu Bhawan, has resulted in some stern steps being taken to monitor the unfortunate incidence of reported 50 infant deaths at the hospital.  The Union Health Minister had earlier dispatched a team of pediatric experts to investigate the matter closely.