Sixty Five infant deaths in two weeks at govt hospital spark protests in Odisha
Cuttack/ Bhubaneswar, Sep 03 (ANI): The death of 65 infants in two weeks at a prominent state-run hospital in Odisha sparked protests by opposition parties on Thursday. Septicaemia, a type of blood infection, is believed to be the cause of infant deaths at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Post Graduate Institute of Paediatrics in Cuttack city. Five workers have been suspended at the hospital in connection with the deaths. A criminal probe was under way into the conduct of three staff at the hospital, state health minister Atanu S Nayak said. Members of women's wing of state Congress party unit held protests in capital Bhubaneswar city against the state government led by regional BJD party. They demanded Nayak's resignation. The deaths highlight the challenges faced in India's underfunded public health system, where successive governments have failed to address the acute shortage of staff and clinics.
