MillenniumPost
Delhi

Initiate criminal prosecution against authorities over death of 21 children

New Delhi: The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Tuesday sent notice to Delhi Police to initiate criminal prosecution against state health department officials and hospital authorities over the death of 21 children allegedly due to non-availability of diphtheria vaccine. Last year in September, 21 children died due to diphtheria at a civic hospital in north Delhi. The commission found that deaths of over 21 children in the hospital last year could have been prevented had the vaccine been procured in a timely manner. Instead, the North MCD dragged its feet in the matter and for over nine months, there was no vaccine available in the hospital. Further, acute infrastructural issues highlighted raise serious concerns on the intent and sincerity of the hospital authorities and it may be the case that funds meant for upkeep and upgradation of the hospital were mismanaged.

Therefore, it is clear that the deaths of the children were a direct result of the criminal negligence and seemingly corrupt conduct of the North MCD authorities.

In view of the above, it is important that an FIR under relevant sections of the law for criminal negligence and mismanagement is immediately registered in the matter against the Health Department officials and MVID Hospital authorities and a proper investigation is undertaken in the matter.

Considering the gravity of the matter, please provide an action taken the report in the matter latest by January 31 failing which appropriate action shall be initiated as per law, DCW said in the notice to the Joint Commissioner of Police Northern Range, Delhi Police.

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