ISLAMABAD, Aug 13 (TNS): At least 64 children have died over six days at a government hospital, Baba Raghav Das Hospital in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh state in northern India that suffered oxygen shortages, officials said Saturday.
Indian media said 30 children died on Thursday and Friday because of the lack of oxygen In wards. Suppliers bills had allegedly not been paid.
To save his skin State health minister Sidharth Nath Singh has denied that any of the deaths were linked to the oxygen shortage despite the fact that officials have confirmed the deaths caused by the non-availability of oxygen in the hospital.
The Hindustan Times newspaper on Saturday described chaotic scenes at the hospital as oxygen supply was disrupted.
“Even as 90 jumbo oxygen cylinders were pressed into service to maintain the supply on Friday, the hospital ran out of oxygen around 1.00am,” it said.
“All hell broke loose,” the report added.
“What followed was complete chaos as panic-stricken relatives of patients ran for help, and with the support of hospital staff tried to maintain supply of oxygen… using artificial manual breathing bags (AMBB).
“However several patients started collapsing due to inadequate supply,” it added.
