Lko rehab centre kids’ death toll rises to 4
Seven discharged so far, DM asks to expedite probe into causes behind sudden illness among children and their deaths
The district and medical authorities confirmed the deaths of four children aged between 15 and 17 years of the Nirvana rehabilitation centre in Lucknow following symptoms of diarrhoea and dehydration.
These children were from among the 25 who were hospitalised from the Nirvana Rajkiya Bal Griha on Mohan Road, chief medical officer Dr NB Singh said.
A team constituted by district magistrate Vishak G, including officials of the health department, food safety department and women and child department, has been investigating the food and water provided at the centre for over five days, but failed to ascertain reason for the children falling ill and four of them dying.
On Thursday, the Lucknow district magistrate confirmed the deaths of four orphans with special needs who were resident of the rehabilitation centre. He said the water source has been cleaned, and packaged foods checked for expiry dates.
“The incident merits investigation and they are still ongoing, in order to identify the cause of this widespread illness and consequent deaths.” He said that the team had begun conducting checks already, no obvious cause has emerged.
“The bodies of the children who passed away have been sent for postmortem, and the findings from the results will be shared in due course.”
“Of the four deaths, two children succumbed during treatment at Lok Bandhu Hospital, one died at Balrampur Hospital, and the other at TB Hospital in Thakurganj. The two girls who died at Lok Bandhu Hospital were both aged 16, Renu and Deepa. Suraj, 15, died at Balrampur Hospital and 15-year-old Shivank died at TB Hospital,” confirmed chief medical officer Dr NB Singh.
Since March 21, instances of severe diarrhoea and vomiting among the children came to light. Twenty-five of them landed in various hospitals over the next few days.
The issue gained prominence when the fourth death occurred at Lok Bandhu hospital on Wednesday.
Lok Bandhu Hospital chief medical superintendent Dr Rajeev Dixit shared, “Renu was admitted on March 23, with diabetes as well as diabetic ketoacidosis, and severe dehydration and shock. Diabetic ketoacidosis itself is a life-threatening condition. Deepa, who was also admitted on the same day, along with dehydration symptoms, presented with a pre-existing kidney injury and shock,” he informed.
“Both passed away with six -seven hours of being admitted,” he said.
Suraj, 15, who was admitted at Balrampur Hospital on March 23, died on March 24 morning, and 15-year-old Shivank, was admitted at TB Hospital Thakurganj on March 24 afternoon. He was having seizures along with severe dehydration.
“The team here tried to stabilise him be giving immediate care and fluids, but the child did not show improvement and passed away in one and half hours,” said TB Hospital CMS Dr SP Singh.
“Following that, we were requested by Nirvana staff to refer the remaining children, who had been stabilised, to Lok Bandhu Hospital for further treatment, so that they can manage all the patients in one place.”
Dr Dixit said all of the children began getting admitted from March 21, and over the week, seven have also been discharged after being treated.
The remaining 14 are still undergoing treatment.
“We are doing a full panel of tests on the children before we send them back as some of them have several comorbidities, like diabetes, liver complications, etc. They all require specialised care on a daily basis,” he said.
Seven children who showed mild symptoms of illness are being cared for at the facility, 14 are being treated at Lok Bandhu Hospital; two at Balrampur Hospital and a third at the Balrampur ICU since he is prone to seizures. Another child is being treated for high levels of creatinine at King George’s Medical University nephrology department.
Pathak visits hospital, meets children
Deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak visited the Lok Bandhu Hospital on Thursday evening to meet the children and the doctors in charge of their care. He directed the hospital authorities to provide the children with the best and complete care. He also interacted with the children and wished them a speedy recovery.
Separately, U.P. State Commission for Women vice chairperson Aparna Yadav also visited the hospital to see how the children are recovering.
