New Delhi, August 30th, 2012

The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Andhra Pradesh, returnable within six weeks, on allegations that inadequate infrastructure and shortage of staff in SVR Ruia Government General hospital in Tirupati resulted in death of as many as 691 children during the last seven and half months. The hospital caters to the poor families from nearby rural areas.

The Commission has taken cognizance of the issue on the basis of a media report forwarded by a complainant. Issuing notice, the Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of 'Rights of the Children'.

Allegedly, in the pediatrics department of the hospital, there are only 12 doctors against the required strength of 30. All the doctors work at SV Medical College attached to Ruia hospital and a majority of them are entrusted with the additional responsibilities including, among others, inspection of private medical colleges and invigilation at exams. It has further been alleged that there is also shortage of nurses and other technicians. At any given time, there will be not less than 200 children, of whom 75 percent with serious ailments, as against the bed strength of 90. Consequently, 2 or 3 children undergoing treatment share a single bed in the hospital.

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