Hyderabad, September 19, 2024: A social media post alleging 48 infant and 14 maternal deaths at Gandhi Hospital in August has ignited widespread concern and political debate. The post, which gained significant attention, accused the hospital of negligence in handling critical cases.
However, the Health Department quickly refuted these claims, providing official data from 2022 to 2024 to demonstrate that this year’s figures showed no abnormal increase in deaths. According to the department, there were 84 maternal deaths in 2022, 108 in 2023, and 68 recorded until August 2024. In the pediatric department, 416 infant deaths occurred in 2022, 430 in 2023, and 241 up to August 2024.
Political Blame Game Begins
The issue quickly escalated into a political war of words between the ruling Congress and the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). BRS working president KT Rama Rao took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), accusing the Congress government of mismanagement.
“Telangana had achieved remarkable reductions in infant and maternal mortality rates until 2023. I demand an immediate investigation by the Chief Secretary into where the negligence occurred,” KTR posted.
Responding to the accusations, Telangana Health Minister C. Damodar Rajanarasimha defended the Congress government, criticizing the BRS for politicizing the issue. In his response, Rajanarasimha accused the opposition of attempting to defame Gandhi Hospital, which caters to economically weaker sections. “It’s shameful that BRS, which neglected government hospitals for a decade, is now continuing its conspiracies in opposition. The numbers are not new; KTR’s comments reflect ignorance and corporate allegiance,” he wrote.
Medical Experts Call for Investigation
Amid the political back-and-forth, medical professionals called for a deeper investigation into the causes of these deaths. Senior pediatrician Dr. Madap Karuna highlighted the critical condition of government hospitals, which often face challenges in providing adequate care compared to private institutions.
“Government hospitals struggle with critical care facilities, and infant deaths are often due to sepsis in ICUs, lack of ventilators, and lapses in monitoring. Maternal health, too, plays a vital role. Detailed documentation and investigation are necessary to find solutions and prevent future tragedies,” Dr. Karuna emphasized.
As political tensions rise, the healthcare community continues to stress the importance of focusing on improving hospital facilities and ensuring comprehensive investigations into these deaths.
