Gorakhpur hospital tragedy: Modi's health minister Nadda announces research centre for children's diseases in yogi's home constituency

With the death of 30 children in the last 48 hours at a government hospital in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur due to shortage of oxygen, the Union Government has approved setting up of medical centre to research on children diseases.

The decision was announced by Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Sunday during a press conference along with Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath.  

Nadda addressing the media said, “Before coming here, I had approved the establishment of a regional medical research centre in Gorakhpur, at a cost of Rs 85 crore.”

The minister added that the institute will conduct research into the infections of children and their possible reasons.

Adityanath during the conference said, “The geography of east Uttar Pradesh is such that we cannot win the war against vector-borne diseases.”

He added, “To win the war against vector-borne diseases we need a full-fledged viral research centre."

Nadda said that Adityanath used to raise the issue of Japanese Encephalitis during every session of the parliament which has been claiming lives of several children from the last few years. 

The Union health minister added the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed concern over the deaths. 

“PM Modi is constantly monitoring the situation,” said Nadda. 

"The Government of India is extending all possible support to the state government," he added.