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Probe ordered into baby deaths in Kerala hospital

Special Correspondent

Superintendent shifted for failing to report

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Government on Wednesday designated a five-member expert team to inquire into the death of 23 babies at the Sree Avittam Tirunal (SAT) Hospital here in a month on account of hospital-acquired infections.

Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy said the team would be asked to submit its report in three weeks.

To seek explanation

The Cabinet, which discussed the issue at its meeting on Wednesday, decided to remove SAT Hospital Superintendent K. Rajmohan from his post for failing to report the situation to the Government. He will be asked to explain why he had failed to inform the Principal of the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College to which the hospital is attached or the Director of Medical Education about the deaths in the neonatology unit of the hospital. Professor and Head of the Department of Paediatrics Lalitha Kailas will be given additional charge of the Superintendent. The Cabinet also decided that the Health Minister should visit the hospital and take appropriate action.

Ms. Sreemathy later said that a three-member committee consisting of the Director of Rural Health Mission, Principal of the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College and the Director of Medical Education would be asked to inspect the hospital and suggest remedial measures. A sum of Rs.1 crore would be allocated for renovation of the hospital and other measures needed to ensure hygiene at the hospital.

The Minister said that the Government viewed the deaths very seriously.

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