Nearly 103 children died at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in just 28 days. Over 200 children, from newborns to 14-year-olds, breathed last in July-August. It is the same period when more than 100 baby deaths took place at MGM Medical College and Hospital in Jamshedpur.
Sadly, the premier hospital in Ranchi sees it as a success, saying the death toll was only a small part of the number of admissions. As per the head of paediatrics and neonatology, Dr AK Choudhary, 646 infants and children were admitted in August. Out of them, 543 had been saved. Likewise, in July, 588 babies and kids out of 698 returned healthy from RIMS.
“Now, that is a success rate of 84 per cent,” the doctor said.
RIMS director, Dr BL Sherwal shares similar sentiments. He seconded that a 16 per cent average rate of child deaths (110 deaths in July and 103 in August) was “nothing unusual.” “At a tertiary care hospital, patients come from different parts of the state and neighbouring states. The toll is not alarming at all,” Sherwal said.
The news came to light after a report was published in a vernacular daily, suggesting an alarming spike in child deaths at the largest state-run hospital. Soon, RIMS medical superintendent, Dr SK Choudhary was removed.
Paediatrician Choudhary said, “In August so far, 103 have died. All are in the age group of 0-14 years. Of these children, 64 died within 24 hours of their hospitalisation because they were admitted in the last stages. The toll after 24 hours is 39. These deaths took place owing to pneumonia, asphyxia, malaria and premature birth, among others.”
