Technical team to probe Odisha infant deaths

A four-member technical team has been set up to inquire into the deaths of at least 27 infants at a paediatrics hospital in Cuttack, a minister said on Tuesday.

Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak told the assembly that the team led by the director of medical education and training will look into the deaths of infants at the Sardar Vallabbhai Patel Post Graduate Institute of Paediatrics.

The minister said the team will also have a paediatrics doctor from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

The team has been asked to submit a report within 10 days and action would be taken based on the report.

Meanwhile, a preliminary report has been submitted to the health department by the chief district medical officer of Cuttack.

He said 24 infants have died in the health institute, even as official sources put the figure at 27 in the last five days.

Earlier on Tuesday, Speaker Niranjan Pujari directing the Odisha government to give a statement on the infant deaths at the health institute popularly known as Sishu Bhawan.

Congress and BJP leaders also visited the hospital on Tuesday to look into the situation.

Odisha Congress president Prasad Harichandan said a high-level probe should be conducted by an expert team of AIIMS and the Indian Council of Medical Research, while the BJP demanded the resignation of the health minister and the immediate transfer of the hospital superintendent.