Harsh Vardhan speaks to Ashok Gehlot over Kota infant deaths

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan assured Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot of providing all required support to deal with infant deaths in Kota. The team will develop a joint action plan based on gap analysis for providing required technical and financial support to Kota Medical College.

New Delhi:Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday assured Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot of providing all required support to prevent child deaths in Kota.

"I have spoken to Ashok Gehlot ji today and assured him of any possible help to prevent further deaths in the Kota tragedy matter. A multidisciplinary team of experts including top pediatricians is being sent by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to support the state government for gap analysis & quick measures to be taken...thr team will reach Kota tomorrow," said Vardhan.

The team of doctors includes Dr Kuldeep Singh, Head of pediatric and dean academic, AIIMS-Jodhpur, Dr Deepak Saxena, Senior regional director, Rajashtan, Dr Arun Singh, Prof of Neonatology, AIIMS-Jodhpur, Dr Himanshu Bhushan, Advisor, NHSRC-MoHFW.

Health Ministry officials said that the team of experts will carry out join gap analysis along with the state government in terms of clinical protocols, service delivery, manpower availability and equipment for maternal, newborn and pediatric care services in the Kota medical college.

The team will also develop a joint action plan based on gap analysis for providing required technical and financial support to Kota Medical College through the National health mission.

The team members will also visit JK Lone Hospital and Medical College at Kota along with state government officials on Friday and submit the detailed report.

In a recent letter written to the Chief Minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan has also expressed his concern about the child deaths at the JK Lone Hospital in Kota.

It may be mentioned here that at least 91 infants have died at the JK Lone Hospital during the past month triggering a wide debate over state government's initiative in the health sector.

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