Odisha hospital infant deaths a ‘systemic failure’

The Sardar Vallabhbhai Post Graduate Institute of Paediatrics in Cuttack, which is in the news over a spate of infant deaths, has always had a high mortality rate, records show.

The childcare facility, better known as Sishu Bhavan, hit the headlines after 61 infants died in the last 13 days.

Sishu Bhawan superintendent Niranjan Mohanty says the death rate at the hospital was the same as other top paediatric facilities in the country.  “Most of the children brought in here are in a very critical condition, having less chance of survival at the last moment.”

Apart from Odisha, critical patients from ill-equipped hospitals in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal are also referred to Sishu Bhawan that has 416 beds and 36 intensive care units. Some 500 infants are referred to the hospital every day. But doctors say they are unable to cope with the rush and it is not uncommon for infants to die while waiting to be admitted.

source : http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/odisha-hospital-infant-deaths-a-systemic-failure/article1-1386857.aspx