Kota Infant Deaths: Top Officials Removed At J K Lon Hospital Amid Stir Over High Child Fatality Rate

The head of paediatric department at J K Lon Hospital in Rajasthan's Kota has been removed following deaths of over 100 kids since December last year in the medical facility, an official said on Sunday (5 January).

Amritlal Bairava would be replaced by Jagjit Singh, a senior medical professional from Kota Medical College.

Four other paediatricians will also join the paediatric department.

"The broken window panes have been replaced with poly carbonate sheet which is unbreakable. We are renovating a room which will be converted into 9-bed newborn intensive care unit (NICU)," Suresh Dulara, the hospital superintendent said.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has also arranged funds to the tune of Rs 40 lakh via CSR, he said.

JK Lon hospital has been in news for all the wrong reasons since December following a spike in the death of children, apparently due to carelessness of hospital administration.

The Hospital registered 963 deaths in 2019. The committee formed after much furore, in its report concluded that the deaths were reported due to lack of oxygen pipeline in the hospital and extreme cold conditions.

Besides, several life-saving and key equipment were found dysfunctional.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, in what sounded like defending the hospital, had said the toll (death of children) registered a decline in 2019 compared to the previous years.

However, Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot on Saturday took an apparent dig at his own government on the 'number game politics' over the death of children, and said "accountability should be fixed for the deaths of innocent children".

(With inputs from IANS)