Kota infant deaths: JK Lon Hospital HOD removed; 4 new doctors appointed

Jaipur: The Rajasthan government on Sunday removed Dr Amrit Lal Bairwa – head of paediatric department at JK Lon Hospital of Kota after the deaths of nearly 110 infants. Some reports indicate negligence on part of the hospital administration as equipment used for protecting newborns from cold were found defunct. There was also the lack of specialist doctors. The government has deployed four new doctors at the hospital.

The action was taken after deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot and health minister Dr Raghu Sharma visited the hospital. As many as 110 infants have died in the past 35 days.

“There had been some broken windows. We have sealed them so that the baby wards remain warm in these extreme cold conditions. We have also started the process of fixing some equipment which were lying defunct,” said hospital superintendent Dr Suresh Dulara.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla who is MP from Kota -Bundi parliamentary constituency has arranged Rs 40 lakh through CSR for the purchase of new equipment.

A central government team also visited the hospital after the death of infants hogged national headlines.

Deputy chief minister Pilot had indirectly criticized his own government and stressed upon the need for it to be more sensitive towards the issue.

Pilot on Saturday met the family members of the victim and said instead of putting the blame on the previous government, the current government has to be more sensitive.