DMK flays ruling AIADMK on death of babies at hospital

Chennai, Nov 19: DMK today flayed ruling AIADMK over the deaths of infants in a government hospital at Dharmapuri, with party president M Karunanidhi alleging that government had intervened in the matter late.

Citing reports about lack of adequate staff in the hospital, Karunanidhi said though its former dean claimed there was no shortage of required equipment, there seemed to be only five beds equipped with breathing accessories.

"The government has intervened in this matter after so many deaths and the Chief Minister (O Panneeselvam) is trying to shield the government by stating that there was no lapse in medical attention," he said in a statement. Had the government acted in the early stages itself, many infants could have been saved, he said, adding, parents were wondering "if there is a Health Minister S Vijayabaskar and what he is doing."

Taking a swipe at the AIADMK government's 'concern' over converting the erstwhile Assembly-Secretariat complex, constructed by the previous DMK government, into a super-specialty hospital, Karunanidhi asked "shouldn't the same concern be shown" in this case also.

Condemning the 'lackadaisical' attitude of the government, Karunanidhi also demanded action against those responsible for the incident and sought preventive measures to avoid recurrence of such incidents.

PTI