Magisterial inquiry into Lucknow shelter home deaths over, report submitted to govt
The district administration starts conducting health screening of inmates at 20 shelter homes in the state capital, say officials
3 min read
The shelter home management had claimed that it became difficult to ascertain the inmates' condition immediately since they were mentally challenged.
The magisterial inquiry into the death of four minor inmates at a shelter home for children with special needs in Lucknow has been completed and the report was submitted to the state Child and Women Welfare Department, officials familiar with the development said.
At least 25 inmates were also taken sick after they were believed to have consumed contaminated water at Nirvan Rajkiya Bal Grah Visheshikrit, a shelter home for children with special needs.
Based on the findings and recommendations of the report, the Lucknow district administration has started an exercise to conduct health screening of the inmates at 20 shelter homes for women and children in the state capital.
Preliminary findings had revealed that some of the inmates were suffering from serious comorbidities which remained undiagnosed, thus putting other inmates at risk. It was found that some of the children were suffering from tuberculosis and were living with other inmates, mostly destitute and mentally challenged.
“The Directorate of Women and Child Development had ordered a magisterial inquiry, which has been completed and the report with the findings and recommendations has been submitted. The report is confidential,” said District Magistrate Vishak G.
The preliminary probe had found that some of the children were living with undiagnosed diseases like tuberculosis without the proper protocol being followed, thus putting other children at risk, the DM said.
“There are 20 shleter homes for women and children in the state capital and orders have been issued to conduct health screening of every inmate there. While blood sampling has been completed, tests like X-ray would take a few more days,” the District Magistrate added.
Once the health screening of all the inmates is done, each of the shelter home, including those running under public private partnership (PPP) and the ones run by government, would be connected with the nearby health centres and hospitals, he said.
“In case of Nirvan Rajkiya Bal Grah Visheshikrit where some children were diagnosed with tuberculosis, their health profile will be shared with the nearby Lok Bandhu Raj Narayan Combined Hospital. Their specialist doctors will ensure the treatment of these inmates,” he said.
The schelter home has had 142 children, some of whom started falling ill since March 20 but the management tried to hide it initially, officials had said.
Of the four deceased, aged 13 to 16, one was suffering from TB, one was diagnosed with diabetes after being admitted to hospital while another was having episodes of seizures, it was learnt.
Dr Rajiv Dixit, Chief Medical Superintendent, Lok Bandhu Hospital, had said, “Since March 21, we have received 25 minors with symptoms of dehydration and vomiting. After tests, some were diagnosed with anaemia and other comorbidities, which are also being treated. Two children, aged 16, died here during treatment. Special care is being given to them as they are unable to share their symptoms being mentally challenged.”
The shelter home management had claimed that it became difficult to ascertain the inmates’ condition immediately since they were mentally challenged.
Also, a member of the State Women Commission had visited the shelter home.
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