Osmania University JAC staged a new type of protest for the infant deaths at State owned Niloufer Hospital at Nampalli, Hyderabad.   

They started begging in front of the hospital for the purpose of funding for the treatments of infants.  As the Government is delaying in releasing the funds to the hospital, OU JAC shouted slogans, to beg and save children.  They criticized that the Government is apathetic for the deaths of infants and whiling away in making committees on the incidents and washing its hands off.

Niloufer hospital was in the news last week for the number of infant deaths at the hospital.  93 deaths occurred in one week out which 62 were in the Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit.  

On the day of a surprise visit of the Secretary, State Human Rights Commission, he in turn got surprised to note that 17 deaths occurred on that day.  Doctors said that comparing with the number of cases turning in; the death rate is very low.  When the capacity is 30 patients, the Superintendant says, they were sent 130 babies to the NNICU in which only two nurses are available.  

Some officers say that the required hygiene is not maintained by the maintenance staff.  Maintenance staff says that the patients’ family members bring luggage and eatables which spread infection among babies.  A senor nurse says that they have a shortage of nurses.

Patients complain that adequate facilities are not available at the hospital and corruption is rampant. Even the gate keeper, one of the patients’ parent says, demands money each time we come in.

As always happens, nobody takes responsibility in an establishment like Niloufer hospital.  Everyone wants the pass on the buck to others and incidents beyond their control.  In that situation, Government’s action to appoint a committee to probe into the actual problems to correct the system is the right thing to do.  But a time bound program with a regular follow up and action to take on the basis of the findings are also to be done after a commission is appointed.  

(AW-SriJa)