Kota infant deaths: NCPCR finds JK Lon Hospital in dire state; acute staff shortage, pigs inside campus among many lapses at institution

New Delhi: Broken windows and gates, pigs roaming inside hospital campus and acute shortage of staff were among the findings of the apex child rights body NCPCR during inspection of JK Lon Hospital in Kota where 940 children died this year. A team from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights team visited the hospital after which its chairperson Priyank Kanoongo issued a show cause notice to Vaibhav Galtiya, Secretary of Medical Education Department in Rajasthan government, and sought an action taken report from him on its findings. “It is evident that there was no glass in windows panes, gates were broken and as a result the admitted children were suffering with extreme weather condition,”  Kanoongo said. He also said that the general upkeep and maintenance of the hospital is in the “worst condition”. “Pigs were found roaming inside the campus of the hospital,” he said in the notice. Kanoongo also said that there was acute shortage of staff. He has sought the action taken report within three working days.