Delhi: Diphtheria death toll rises to 20; superintendent suspended

Superintendent of the Maharishi Valmiki Infectious Diseases Hospital, where 20 children collapsed to death due to diphtheria in the last couple of weeks, has been suspended over alleged errors in conducting duty.

Medical superintendent Sushil Kumar Gupta has been suspended till the inquiry into the deaths is completed. A committee formed by the mayor will probe the allegations against Gupta. A North corporation spokesperson, under which this hospital is said to be operated was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

Patients had earlier alleged that the non-availability of diphtheria antitoxin was the primary reason for the children’s deaths, which occurred in between September 1 to September 23.

Gupta had then said that the hospital had not received any diphtheria antitoxin since November as the firm that used to provide the hospitals with medicines was closed.

“We haven’t had the serum since November last year. I have been in touch with the administration of the Central Research Institute (CRI), Kasauli, which specialises in manufacturing anti-diphtheria serum. But they have closed their lab because of some up-gradation work. I even went to Kasauli in March, but they said they have stopped production for now,” Gupta was quoted by the national daily.

But in contradictory to his statement, CRI director had claimed that 150 vials of the diphtheria antitoxin were kept ready since the last 15 days, but no one from the hospital came to collect them despite intimation.

Also Read: New Delhi: 12 children die due to lack of vaccines; medical negligence or government apathy?

Image Source: Hindustan Times