Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Appalling apathy

It is unfortunate that 38 new-borns died in the Sree Avittom Tirunal Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, as a result of a hospital-acquired infection over the past four months (editorial "Death at birth," May 9). It is appalling to learn that the hospital is terribly understaffed, with only two nurses in a shift handling 60 deliveries a day. It is clear from television footage that the wards are full of patients lying on the floor and near the toilets. This state of affairs has been prevailing in the hospital for long.

While apportioning blame and conducting an enquiry are important, the urgent need of the hour is to correct the situation by making available adequate staff and clean and hygienic conditions.

K. Sivaraman,
Chennai

What happened in Kerala can happen in any neonatology unit if there is even a small breach in the rules to be followed by those involved in the care of newborns.

It is indeed shocking that the unit was not sterilised after the initial deaths.

Dr. Uma Raja,
Tiruchi

While the hospital administration is squarely to blame for not reporting the deaths in time to the higher authorities, the government is responsible for not providing adequate staff in the labour ward.

The Health Minister should visit government hospitals to get firsthand information on their functioning so that similar tragedies can be avoided in future.

K. Sivasubramanian,
Thiruvananthapuram

It is because of such unfortunate incidents that the people lose faith in government hospitals. It is the collective responsibility of the hospital staff to keep the premises clean.

A. Ibrahim,
Ernakulam

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