Kota deaths: 963 infants succumbed to death at a single hospital in 2019 — and that’s the lowest in 6 years

• As many as 100 infants who were admitted at Kota’s J.K Lon hospital lost their lives in December.
  
• According to government figures, 963 infants succumbed to death in 2019.
  
• From 2014, at least a thousand children die at J.K Lon hospital. However, the Rajasthan government claimed that there’s no gap in the treatment provided by the hospital staff.
  
• After facing backlash and protest from the people, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot commented that the situation of the hospital has rather improved.

In 2017, 61 children died within 72 hours at a government hospital in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh causing a national uproar on the state of health infrastructure in India. Two years on, something similar is unravelling in Kota, Rajasthan. A single hospital registered 104 deaths in 33 days — questioning health system across the country yet again.

According to government figures, 963 infants succumbed to death in 2019. However, the state government is finding solace in the fact that this is the lowest death toll in six years.

The primary reason was the inability of the hospital to provide facilities to cater to mother and child intensive care during pregnancy and after child birth. A three-member investigation committee concluded that the lack of oxygen pipeline in the hospital and extreme cold conditions led to the startling number of deaths.

“It was nothing unusual” says hospital superintendent Dr. HL Meena

As many as 100 infants who were admitted at Kota’s J.K Lon hospital lost their lives in December ‘19 .And, four more were deaths were reported in the beginning of 2020.

However, amid rising protests, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot commented that the situation of the hospital has improved. "Some people are, intentionally or unknowingly, indulging in mischief with regard to the situation in Kota. I spoke with the Union Health Minister today and informed him that in 5 to 6 years, 2019 has seen the lowest number of deaths, that is how wonderful the arrangements have been. But why even one kid dies, why even one mother dies?" said Ashok Gehlot in a tweet.

However, Lok Sabha speaker, Om Birla — who visited the hospital on December 29 — said the condition of the hospital is bad.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan assured to investigate the matter. “The high level team being despatched by the ministry includes experts from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Health Finance and Regional Director, Health Services from Jaipur, which will reach Kota on Friday,” said Harsh Vardhan.


The hospitals has registered at least 3-4 deaths daily, a member of the hospital told India Today. Making matters worse, an infectious child reportedly shares a bed in the intensive care unit with 3 or more infants, allowing for contagion.

While the need of the hour is to fix the country’s infrastructure, the politicians are engaged in what they are good at ⁠— blame game. The ruling Congress government at the state and the BJP government at the Centre are exchanging barbs while children succumb to death and poor, bereaved families dependent on public health institutions rue their misfortune and the state’s apathy.

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