Gujarat: 111 infant deaths reported at Adani-run hospital in 2018, probe ordered

The Gujarat government on Friday ordered an inquiry into the deaths of 111 newborns in five months at the Adani Education and Research Foundation-run GK General Hospital in Bhuj.

As per the data released by the hospital, 111 infants died in the first five months of 2018, ending 20 May.

While the hospital management cited reasons including delayed admission or malnutrition for the deaths, the government formed a team of experts to conduct the inquiry. The hospital authorities also denied charges of medical negligence.

"We have formed a team of experts to probe reasons behind these deaths. We will take appropriate steps after the team submits its report," Gujarat Commissioner of Health Jayanti Ravi said.

According to data shared by hospital superintendent GS Rao, out of 777 newborn babies (both admitted post-birth and those born in the hospital) between 1 January and 20 May, 111 did not survive, which shows a mortality rate of 14%.

In 2017, 258 infants had died, while 184 and 164 infants had died in the hospital in 2016 and 2015, respectively.

"The percentage of deaths against admission was 19% in 2015, 18% in 2016 and 21% in 2017, which was relatively higher. This year (till May), 111 newborn have died," Rao told reporters in Bhuj.

"Since the mortality rate is 14%, I think it is less than previous years. And, the way we are working, it will remain lowest at the end of this year," he added.

According to him, delay in referring children to the hospital is one of the reasons for deaths, as crucial time is wasted in travelling to Bhuj from interior parts of Kutch district.

"One of the reasons for death is pre-mature births. Another (reason) is malnutrition as mothers may not have taken proper diet which help the baby gain weight inside the womb. Delayed reference is also one of the reasons," said Rao.

"If a family comes here by travelling 250 kilometres, the delay would certainly affect the chances (of survival). Our staff regularly discuss these issues among ourselves and we are working to reduce the deaths," he added.

An official statement released by GK General Hospital said, “The total Infant Mortality Rate of the hospital is 14%. Death rate increases if there is an increase in the number of outborn (who were not born in the hospital) infants. In the past year, out of 33,284 infants treated in the hospital, 1,080 have been treated in the NICU.”

"Out of the infants admitted in May 2018, 19 were on invasive ventilators and 6 were on non-invasive ventilation. Deaths within 24 hours of admission were 7," the hospital added.

(with agency inputs)