Speaking on the death of 100 newborns at a state-run hospital in Kota district in Rajasthan in December 2019, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday said that the number of deaths of infants in the state is the least now as compared to the last 5-6 years.
“The number of deaths of infants in the state is the least now as compared to the last 5-6 years. Medical arrangements are excellent. Still, we are making efforts to reduce Infant Mortality Ratio (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR),” Gehlot said.
Rajasthan CM @ashokgehlot51: The number of deaths of infants in the state is the least now as compared to the last 5-6 years. Medical arrangements are excellent. Still, we are making efforts to reduce Infant Mortality Ratio (IMR) & Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR). #KotaChildDeaths pic.twitter.com/wj7mjulC4Q
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) January 2, 2020
Earlier in the day, Congress president Sonia Gandhi discussed the tragedy with Rajasthan Congress chief Avinash Pandey.
The state government in its report admitted that some of the incubators at the hospital used for newborns were not in proper working condition.
Union Health Minister Harshvardhan told reporters: “I have written a letter to Ashok Gehlot, asking him to look into the matter. We have assured the government of all support from our side.” He, however, said the number of deaths is “definitely higher this time compared to the last few years”.
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Besides, Vardhan also tweeted: “I informed Ashok Gehlot ji that Rs 91.7 lakhs has already been advanced to JK Loan Hospital during 2019-20 under National Health Mission. Kota District alone has an annual allocation of Rs 27.45 Cr for ‘19-20, from the annual budgeted amount of Rs 1788.97 Cr for Rajasthan state.”
I told @ashokgehlot51 ji that #Rajasthan may go ahead and propose for further financial assistance in the upcoming Rajasthan National Health Mission (NHM) meeting after doing their gap analysis.
We’ll do our best to prevent further deaths, I assured him fully.#KotaChildDeaths
— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) January 2, 2020
While CM Gehlot tweeted: “I telephoned Central Health Minister Harsh Vardhan ji and requested him to visit Kota personally so that he can see the best of facilities and proper management by State Health Department and get himself apprised of the facts.”
I telephoned Central Health Minister @drharshvardhan ji and requested him to visit #Kota personally so that he can see the best of facilities and proper management by State Health Department and get himself apprised of the facts.
1/2— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) January 2, 2020