26 Infants die at Sishu Bhavan; Odisha Govt forms Panel

Cuttack, Aug 25: Probe on into the shocking death of 26 infants at Sishu Bhavan, Odisha. CDMO, Cuttack leads the probe panel, which also has 3 ADMOs. Report to be submitted to the government by Tuesday evening. BJP MLA Radharani Panda brings allegation of tender fixing at Sishu Bhavan in Cuttack. One more infant died on Tuesday at here and the death toll rose to 26.

As many as 26 infants have died in the health institution — popularly known as Sishu Bhawan — in the last five days. Five infants died on Monday alone while one infant died today, hospital sources said.

The state government has also asked the health secretary to submit a report.

Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said the department has asked for a detailed report from the officials concerned and the department would take appropriate action based on the report.

Parents of the infants who died on Monday attributed the deaths to negligence by doctors, nurses and other hospital staff.

“We brought our son in a serious condition. He needed to be admitted to the ICU urgently. But the doctor kept us waiting and we were told there was no bed available in the ICU. The nurses also did not pay heed when we sought their attention. I lost my son due to their negligence,” said a bereft mother who lost her baby on Monday.  (With Inputs from IANS)