BALLIA: In the past three days, a total of 54 people who were admitted to the district hospital in Uttar Pradesh’s Ballia, have lost their lives.
Consequently, a team from the health department in Lucknow has arrived at the hospital to investigate the cause of these deaths, officials said on Sunday.
These fatalities have occurred during a period of intense heatwave conditions prevailing in the region.
However, Dr Jayant Kumar, the chief medical Officer (CMO) of Ballia, stated that only two deaths in the district were directly attributed to heat stroke up until Sunday.
During the timeframe of June 15 to June 17, around 400 patients were admitted to the district hospital. Notably, all the patients who passed away at the government hospital were aged above 60 years.
In a separate development, Dr Divakar Singh, the chief medical superintendent (CMS) of the district hospital, was relieved of his duties and transferred to Azamgarh. This decision reportedly came in response to an insensitive remark made by Dr Singh concerning the cause of the deaths. Taking over the role of CMS is Dr S K Yadav, as confirmed by a senior official.
“As per records of the district hospital, of the 54 deaths, 40 per cent of the patients had fever, while 60 per cent were suffering from other diseases. So far, only two persons have died due to heat stroke in the district,” CMO Kumar told PTI.
CMS Yadav said the hospital is under pressure as around 125 to 135 patients are being admitted here daily.
“On June 15, as many as 154 patients were admitted to the district hospital, of which 23 patients died due to various reasons. While 20 patients died on June 16, 11 passed away on the following day. They were all aged above 60 years,” he added.
According to the health officials, on average about eight deaths are reported daily at the district hospital.
On Saturday, additional director of the health department of Azamgarh division, O P Tiwari, said a team of the health department from Lucknow would come to Ballia and conduct tests, after which the cause of the deaths would be ascertained.
“Maybe there is a disease, which could not be detected. The temperature is also high in the region. During the summers and winters, death rates among diabetic patients and those with breathing difficulties and blood pressure usually increase,” Tiwari said.
On Sunday, District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar said that the number of beds at the district hospital has been increased to accommodate more patients.
“In order to ensure that patients at the district hospital do not face any difficulties, some air coolers and air-conditioners have been arranged. Apart from this, 15 beds have also been increased,” he said.
The DM also said, “CMS Dr Divakar Singh has been sent to Azamgarh, since he gave wrong information about death figures.”
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who also holds the health portfolio, said, “The superintendent’s removal has been done since he had made a careless remark without having information about the heatwave. All the chief medical officers and the chief medical superintendents in the state have been instructed to identify each and every patient, and provide them treatment.”
Ballia, with the entire central and eastern UP, is reeling under sultry weather. As per the India Meteorological Department, the maximum temperature in Ballia was recorded at 42.2 degree Celsius (4.7 notches above normal) on Friday (June 16), when 20 patients had died at the district hospital.
(With inputs from PTI)
Consequently, a team from the health department in Lucknow has arrived at the hospital to investigate the cause of these deaths, officials said on Sunday.
These fatalities have occurred during a period of intense heatwave conditions prevailing in the region.
However, Dr Jayant Kumar, the chief medical Officer (CMO) of Ballia, stated that only two deaths in the district were directly attributed to heat stroke up until Sunday.
During the timeframe of June 15 to June 17, around 400 patients were admitted to the district hospital. Notably, all the patients who passed away at the government hospital were aged above 60 years.
In a separate development, Dr Divakar Singh, the chief medical superintendent (CMS) of the district hospital, was relieved of his duties and transferred to Azamgarh. This decision reportedly came in response to an insensitive remark made by Dr Singh concerning the cause of the deaths. Taking over the role of CMS is Dr S K Yadav, as confirmed by a senior official.
“As per records of the district hospital, of the 54 deaths, 40 per cent of the patients had fever, while 60 per cent were suffering from other diseases. So far, only two persons have died due to heat stroke in the district,” CMO Kumar told PTI.
CMS Yadav said the hospital is under pressure as around 125 to 135 patients are being admitted here daily.
“On June 15, as many as 154 patients were admitted to the district hospital, of which 23 patients died due to various reasons. While 20 patients died on June 16, 11 passed away on the following day. They were all aged above 60 years,” he added.
According to the health officials, on average about eight deaths are reported daily at the district hospital.
On Saturday, additional director of the health department of Azamgarh division, O P Tiwari, said a team of the health department from Lucknow would come to Ballia and conduct tests, after which the cause of the deaths would be ascertained.
“Maybe there is a disease, which could not be detected. The temperature is also high in the region. During the summers and winters, death rates among diabetic patients and those with breathing difficulties and blood pressure usually increase,” Tiwari said.
On Sunday, District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar said that the number of beds at the district hospital has been increased to accommodate more patients.
“In order to ensure that patients at the district hospital do not face any difficulties, some air coolers and air-conditioners have been arranged. Apart from this, 15 beds have also been increased,” he said.
The DM also said, “CMS Dr Divakar Singh has been sent to Azamgarh, since he gave wrong information about death figures.”
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who also holds the health portfolio, said, “The superintendent’s removal has been done since he had made a careless remark without having information about the heatwave. All the chief medical officers and the chief medical superintendents in the state have been instructed to identify each and every patient, and provide them treatment.”
Ballia, with the entire central and eastern UP, is reeling under sultry weather. As per the India Meteorological Department, the maximum temperature in Ballia was recorded at 42.2 degree Celsius (4.7 notches above normal) on Friday (June 16), when 20 patients had died at the district hospital.
(With inputs from PTI)
