Lessons Learnt From The Gorakhpur Tragedy

Sixty children died between August 7 and 11 in BRD Hospital, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. While 30 died in two days (August 10 and 11), allegedly due to lack of oxygen following non-supply of cylinders by the contractor for non-payment of dues, 12 died due to AES (acute encephalitis syndrome) and the remaining due to other causes. The incident has triggered the hornets’ nest and posed certain questions regarding the healthcare facilities of India.

- Kingson Chingakham

Health care is one of India’s largest sectors with the prospect of growing up to US $280 by 2020. In spite of such magnificent growth rate, the health care sector is plagued with various issues unable to serve the goals. The Gorakhpur tragedy which led to the loss of more than 70 young lives due to lack of oxygen supply should act as a wake-up call to the Government to chart ways for massive health care reforms. Reforms in the health care sector are one of the major promises made at the time of elections. Different parties form the government, come to power, and are replaced by some other and this goes on without much paradigm shift in the health sector. Good delivery of health care services has remained only in papers with no political will to execute the words. This heartbreaking incident is not only due to the blatant negligence but also because of the education system which teaches only how to score good marks but does not render any employability skills. To understand how grim the situation is, a short visit to any public hospital will not only expose to the sufferings of the patients but it will also reflect the absence of attention to human lives. Understanding the fact that this country is the second populous country, the health care services might face difficulties. But even after 70 years of Independence, when we have emerged as one of the fastest-growing economies, why do we need to leave behind one important area without which the country cannot g