Over 60 children have reportedly died at state-run BRD Medical College Hospital since August 7, many allegedly for want of oxygen whose supply was disrupted after bills were not paid to the vendor.
"The human tragedy in Gorakhpur has left me jolted." While grieving the terrible loss of lives of all the children, the incident must "act as an impetus" to take actions that serve as a deterrent to recurrence of such an event, the 37- year-old MP said in a statement.
"I have pledged an amount of Rs 5 crore from my MPLADS fund, to build a Model Hospital Paediatric Wing with state- of-the-art infrastructure, in the district hospital.
"This will be accompanied by a matching grant of Rs 5 crore more, to be raised personally through donations and collections from Corporate Social Responsibility funding," the statement said.
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The Sultanpur MP hoped that with sufficient additional funds from external donors, the paediatric wing would be functioning full-swing in six months.
The wing would also provide free vaccination for children under the National Vaccine Programme. It would also set up a pharmacy within the hospital premises for providing medicines to children at a lower cost.
"An intensive care unit (ICU) consisting of 100 beds will be established to ensure no child goes untreated. The wing would have 24x7 access to water for drinking and sanitation, electricity and oxygen supply," Gandhi said, adding, three ambulances would cater specifically to children.