Suspended Gorakhpur doctor demands CBI inquiry into death of children

Alleging "targeted victimisation", Dr Kafeel Khan, who was suspended following the deaths of over 60 children at Gorakhpur's BRD Hospital in 2017, Tuesday demanded CBI probe into the tragedy.

Khan, who was in Bihar for his "health for all" campaign, alleged that he has been made a scapegoat in the incident which occurred because of shortage of oxygen cylinder supply caused by non-payment of dues to the supplier.

"I demand CBI inquiry into the deaths and also that the trial be transferred outside Uttar Pradesh. Those responsible for the tragedy including top health department officials and the minister concerned, are going about scot free and even heading the departmental inquiry which has been going on for the past 18 months," he told reporters here.

 

During his visit to the state, he also campaigned for CPI candidate Kanhaiya Kumar in Begusarai.

Khan, whose brother last year survived bullet injuries in an attack by unidentified assailants in Gorakhpur, also deplored the "insensitive attitude" of the state police and alleged that they "tried their best to delay the surgical intervention required".

"Investigation by the police has been going on for more than 10 months and it is heading nowhere. We have, therefore, filed a petition in the court for a CBI inquiry into the attack on my brother as there could be involvement of some government officials," he alleged.

He claimed, "Even the High Court has observed that I was guilty of no medical negligence or corruption nor was I in any way involved in the tender process. An RTI inquiry has also established that the shortage had continued for 54 hours and I had made arrangements for cylinders on my own to save the dying children."

On his "health for all" drive, Khan underscored the dismal situation of public health care system in the country and pressed the demand for introducing a "Right to Healthcare" through legislation in Parliament.

He also urged the Centre to ensure that at least three per cent of the GDP was spent on healthcare and rued that the existing vacancies in the sector were expected to be about 1.5 lakh which ought to be filled expeditiously.