Have Infant Deaths Undermined the State's Health Services? MP Dy CM Shukla Weighs In

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Two infants died at M.Y. Hospital due to rat bites.
- Deputy CM Rajendra Shukla is leading the investigation.
- Show-cause notices have been issued to senior officials.
- The NHRC is involved, demanding accountability.
- Immediate actions are being called for to restore public trust.
Indore, Sep 9 (NationPress) Madhya Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla convened a meeting on Tuesday to assess the alarming incidents at Indore's government-operated Maharaja Yeshwantrao (M.Y.) Hospital, where two infants tragically succumbed after being attacked by rats.
As a prominent leader in the BJP and head of the state's Health and Medical Education departments, Deputy CM Shukla also examined the status of the ongoing investigations and measures taken against the medical personnel at M.Y. Hospital, noted as one of the largest public health facilities in Madhya Pradesh.
During the meeting, Sandeep Yadav, Principal Secretary of Health and Family Department, and Tarun Rathi, Commissioner of Medical Education Department, provided updates on actions initiated in response to this distressing incident.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Deputy CM Shukla announced that the department has issued show-cause notices to three senior medical officials, including Ashok Yadav, the chairperson of M.Y. Hospital, and Brijesh Lohati, in charge of the department where the incident took place.
"Such occurrences tarnish the reputation of health services in the state, and will not be tolerated. I have mandated a thorough and transparent investigation into this matter, and those found culpable will face consequences. We must ensure that such events are not repeated in our state," he stated in an interview with IANS after the review meeting.
It is worth mentioning that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of the situation and has issued a notice to the relevant authorities overseeing the Health and Medical Education departments within the Madhya Pradesh government.
Notices have been sent to Principal Secretary Sandeep Yadav and Indore District Collector Asheesh Singh, requesting their responses including a report on the actions taken regarding the incident.
On August 30 and 31, two newborn girls were reportedly bitten by rats in the neonatal ICU of M.Y. Hospital, one of the largest government-operated medical facilities in Madhya Pradesh.
The two infants tragically passed away on September 2 and 3, with the hospital attributing the causes of death to pneumonia and septicaemia, respectively.