They sought a thorough investigation of the incident by the National Child Rights Commission and filing a criminal case against the errant official responsible for the gruesome incident. “The successive governments are invariably moving in the direction of complete privatisation of health sector making health policies favourable for private players and neglecting public health institutions. Even supplies to public health institutions are being outsourced to private parties. In Gorakhpur, the procurement of oxygen cylinders was outsourced to a private party who had stopped supply due to non-payment of dues, which eventually led to the tragedy,” she said. She demanded that the governments learn a lesson from the tragedy and stop privatisation of the health sector.

Source: The Hindu August 14, 2017 18:22 UTC