Kota infant deaths: Green carpet rolled out to welcome Rajasthan health minister at hospital where over 100 children died, removed later

Kota: The state-run hospital in Kota, where more than 100 children died in December, rolled out a “green carpet” on Friday to welcome Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma. After the decision was slammed by the opposition BJP and others, the JK Lon Hospital administration removed the carpet shortly before the minister’s arrival. Asked about the preparations to welcome him at the hospital, Sharma said when he came to know about it he immediately directed the officials to no do such things.

Rajasthan: A carpet laid out at Kota's JK Lon Hospital ahead of the visit of State Health Minister Raghu Sharma, was removed after seeing media presence. #KotaChildDeaths pic.twitter.com/WJRmoqry2S

— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2020

The Kota Nagar Nigam removed at least 50 stray pigs from the premises. The hospital management undertook several measures for the minister’s visit. It had repaired damaged portions of the hospital, whitewashed the walls and organised all equipment early on Friday. Dysfunctional room-heaters and lights were replaced in kids’ wards. The hospital premises was being cleaned for 5-6 days and pigs were removed on Friday, said Kota Municipal Corporation Commissioner Vasudev Malavat. Meanwhile,  former NCW chairperson Mamta Sharma held the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government responsible for the death of children at the hospital and demanded its dismissal. She was not allowed to enter into the hospital due to aggressive protest by Congress workers. On Friday, a 15-day-old female infant died at the hospital, pushing the death toll to 105 in the last 34 days. However, doctors at the hospital termed it a premature birth.