Srinagar, Oct 8: In a self -indicting revelation about poor healthcare system in the Valley’s sole pediatric health facility, GB Pant Hospital, Government on Monday conceded that 3800 infants have died at the institute since 2008.
While GB Pant Hospital was in news this year for high infant mortality especially neonatal death rate, the figures spelled out in Legislative Council today reveal that the situation vis-a-vis infant deaths in the institute was no different in the past four years.  The figures also bring to the fore the callous approach of the authorities at helm of affairs in the Medical Education Department and successive Principals of Government Medical College Srinagar.
In a written reply, Medical Education Minister, RS Chib informed the House that 3838 infants have died in GB Pant Hospital from 2008 to August 2012.
The figures suggest that 830 and 594 infants have died respectively in 2008 and 2009. The situation was worse in the next two years as death count in these two years was 1768.  While in 2010, the number of deaths was pegged at 882 and in 2011, the count was 886.
Even as government is making tall claims of improving overall functioning of the Hospital in the wake of public criticism, 636 deaths have been recorded in the institute in first eight months of the current year.
The Government further said that the inquiry report submitted by Director SKIMS, Dr Showkat Zargar, into the cause of deaths, is under active consideration.
“The chargesheet has been issued upon the then Medical Superintendent G B Pant Hospital Srinagar under J&K Classification Control and Appeal Rules,” the Government reply reads.
According to the reply, several measures have been taken to prevent recurrence of such deaths and to streamline the functioning of the health institution.
“Administrative changes, deployment of manpower in coordinated manner, provision of additional drugs, strict implementation of Janani-Shishu Suraksha Karyakram, and strict enforcement of hospital infection control measures are other steps taken to prevent such deaths,” the reply adds.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 8 Oct 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 8 Oct 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 9 Oct 2012 00:00:00 IST