Gorakhpur tragedy: Yogi blames 'hero' Muslim doctor for infants' deaths
Over 60 infants died in Gorakhpur.
(Web Desk)- The Muslim doctor Kafeel Khan, who saved lives of many infants in the Gorakhpur Hospital tragedy, is now being victimized and used as scapegoat by Yogi-led Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) provincial government in bid to divert public’s outrage.
According to reports emerging on Indian media, Kafeel has been accused of stealing oxygen cylinders from hospital for his private clinic. Following these accusations, authorities have sacked Kafeel whereas probe into matter is underway. Local government sources quoted that Kafeel was sacked over his failure to take action on a letter penned to him on Thursday warning about shortage of oxygen and ensuing consequences.
"Doctors are being made scapegoats," said Dr. Harjit Singh Bhatti, who heads an association of resident doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences or AIIMS. The association has written a letter condemning Dr Kafeel Khan s sacking, accusing the state government of "gross neglect of public health." By blaming doctors for the death of the children, the association said, "politicians are hiding their incompetency," and asked, "Who is responsible if oxygen, gloves, equipment not available?" reported NDTV.
Contrary to claims of UP govt, it was Dr. Kafeel whose timely action saved lives of many as he paid bills with his debit card to buy oxygen, transferred three oxygen cylinders from his private clinic to BRD Medical College and rushed to private nursing homes to borrow 12 cylinders of oxygen. Kafeel’s action was widely praised by local as well as international media whereas he was hailed as national hero.
Over 60 infants died in Gorakhpur’s main government hospital after its liquid oxygen supply was cut since it failed to pay dues to the supplier. It was constituency of UP’s Chief Minister Yogi and, paradoxically, questions had been raised by the same nearly 20 times in capacity as MP between 2003 and 2014 over children deaths due to shortage of oxygen.
