Seven children with special needs and four other inmates of a government-run home in Jamdoli near Jaipur have died in the last 10 days, between April 18 and 28, allegedly after consuming contaminated food or water.
Three more children are stated to be in a critical condition and have been admitted to JK Lone Hospital here.
The National Human Rights Commission took suo motu cognisance and issued notices to Rajasthan government officials, including the Director General (Health Services). It has asked for replies in two weeks.
JK Lone Hospital Superintendent Ashok Gupta said the children were brought to the hospital after they complained of diarrhoea and vomiting.
He said the deaths were caused by bacterial infection as the victims had consumed contaminated food or water. When they were admitted to the hospital, they showed signs of septic shock and septicaemia (blood poisoning).
But Rajasthan Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Arun Chaturvedi said the cause of the death was yet to be ascertained. “Preliminary reports show it was some kind of an infection. However, we have sent the blood samples for tests and the reports are awaited,” Mr. Chaturvedi added.
The State government has appointed a three-member committee, headed by Principal Secretary (Social Justice and Empowerment) Sudarshan Sethi, to inquire into the matter. The panel will submit its report in 15 days, Mr. Chaturvedi said.
The Minister said “the staff and the children were consuming the same water for a year.” He said after receiving complaints over hygiene at the facility, a team from Sawai Man Singh Hospital here had visited it last week.
“The staff have been directed to maintain cleanliness and hygiene. Hand sanitizers have been placed outside every room in the hostel which has 20 rooms, 10 for boys and as many for girls.”
“We will take further precautions on hygiene [at the home in Jamdoli] so that no infections happen [there] now. We will also find out who is responsible for this. If it comes down to one person we'll take strict action [against the individual],” Mr. Chaturvedi said.
Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee president Sachin Pilot, who visited the hospital on Friday, said, “If deaths were due to contaminated water then it is very serious. The government should set up an enquiry and take action [against the persons responsible].”
