2017 Gorakhpur hospital deaths

2017 deaths of children in a hospital in Gorakhpur, India

The 2017 Gorakhpur hospital deaths refer to a tragic incident that occurred in August 2017 at the Baba Raghav Das Medical College in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. Over 60 children died within a span of a few days, reportedly due to a disruption in the supply of liquid oxygen to the hospital.

Background

Gorakhpur is a city located in the northeastern part of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is known for its medical college, Baba Raghav Das Medical College, which serves as a major healthcare facility for the region. The hospital is particularly known for treating cases of encephalitis, a disease that is prevalent in the area, especially during the monsoon season.

Incident

In early August 2017, a significant number of children admitted to the hospital's pediatric ward began to die. The deaths were initially attributed to various medical conditions, including encephalitis. However, it soon emerged that a disruption in the supply of liquid oxygen to the hospital had occurred due to unpaid bills to the supplier.

The lack of oxygen supply was a critical factor, as many of the children were dependent on oxygen support. The incident drew widespread media attention and public outrage, leading to an investigation into the hospital's administration and the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Reactions

The incident sparked a national debate on the state of healthcare in India, particularly in government-run hospitals. The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, visited the hospital and ordered an inquiry into the matter. The incident also led to the suspension of several hospital officials and the arrest of the principal of the medical college.

Aftermath

Following the incident, the government of Uttar Pradesh announced several measures to improve healthcare facilities in the state. This included the allocation of additional funds for medical supplies and the establishment of a committee to oversee hospital administration and prevent such incidents in the future.

Related pages

• Baba Raghav Das Medical College
• Encephalitis
• Healthcare in India
• Yogi Adityanath

Gallery

• 
  Map showing the location of Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, India