Jaipur: The Medical Superintendent (MS) of a Kota-based hospital was recently dismissed following an inquiry into the death of nine newborn babies within eight hours at the government-run hospital.
Besides sacking the MS on charges of negligence, the head of the child illness department has also been removed from the post after the inquiry by a committee formed by the Rajasthan health ministry.
Dr. Ashok Mundra, former head of the department of forensic medicine, has been named the new medical superintendent of JK Lon Hospital.
Last week, a total of nine newborns passed away within eight hours. All the children were aged between one and seven days. Shaken by the news, the district collector had immediately ordered for deploying additional doctors and nursing staff, while State Health Minister Raghu Sharma had ordered a detailed report on the matter.
Also Read: Rajasthan: Health Minister Directs Kota Hospital To Ensure Proper Care After 9 Newborns Die Within 8 Hours
Accordingly, a committee was constituted to look into the matter and asked to submit its report within three working days. Following the inquiry, the MS and head of the child illness department both were removed from their respective posts. The post of the head was handed over to Dr. A Bairwa, while Dr Ashok Mundra as the new MS.
Commenting on the same, Dr. Ashok Mundra told India Today, "No kind of negligence will happen at the hospital and will try to ensure better arrangement for treatment. Will try to fulfill the responsibility that the state government has given. Mother and child will be kept completely safe; an attempt will be made towards this".
The incident was alarming for the government as, last year, the death of a hundred infants were reported despite JK Lon Hospital being one of the biggest government hospitals in the Kota division, making the situation worrisome.
Meanwhile, BJP, forming its own committee is planning to visit the hospital on Saturday to investigate the incident and submit the report. BJP state president Dr. Satish Poonia has formed the committee that includes deputy leader of the opposition, Rajendra Rathode, state party General Secretary Madan Dilawar, Rajya Sabha MP Jaskaur Meena, and MLA Sandeep Sharma.
Dr. Raghu Sharma, Health Minister of Rajasthan, while commenting on the incident stated, "Action will be taken if there is any negligence or laxity found on the part of doctors or medical staff on the basis of the report of the Committee that has been formed to look into the matter".