Fifty-four people admitted to the district hospital in Uttar Pradesh’s Ballia have died allegedly due to severe heat in the past three days. Almost all of them were in their fifties and sixties.
According to reports, the deaths took place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Although the district health officials remained evasive, the local press claimed that 70 people admitted to the hospital died in a week’s time owing to severe heatwave in the district and nearby region.
A team of doctors was rushed to Ballia to investigate the incident and submit a report to the government.
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Large parts of Uttar Pradesh have been experiencing severe heatwave conditions, with the mercury rising to 44 degrees Celsius at many places, including Ballia.
A senior doctor, however, denied that the deaths were due to heat and claimed that all those who died were admitted with serious medical complications.
Medical officer removed
The state government shunted out Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) of Ballia district hospital, Dr Diwakar Singh, who on Saturday said that severe heat might have aggravated patients’ complications and resulted in their deaths.
Panic prevailed in the hospital after several deaths in a short time. Eyewitnesses said there was a shortage of stretchers and ambulances to carry the dead to their homes.
UP Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak, who also holds the health portfolio, said the cause of deaths could be ascertained only after a proper investigation.
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav slammed the ruling BJP and said the state government has not paid any attention to improving health facilities.