Four special kids die at Lucknow rehab centre

Four special needs children died and at least 16 were taken ill after they allegedly had their dinner at a government rehabilitation centre in the state capital’s Para area, officials said.

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On Tuesday evening, more than 20 special needs children residing at the centre fell ill, possibly due to food poisoning, and were taken to the Lok Bandhu hospital.

Lucknow District Magistrate Vishak G said, “Four children — two girls and two boys — of the shelter home, aged between 12 and 17 years, have died. Their bodies have been sent for a postmortem and their viscera will be preserved.”

Dr Rajeev Kumar Dixit, Medical Superintendent of Lok Bandhu Raj Narayan Combined Hospital, said around 20 children were brought to the hospital on Tuesday evening from the rehabilitation centre.

“All these children are mentally challenged. They were severely dehydrated when they arrived. Despite our best efforts, two children died,” he said. Two more critically ill children, who were referred to another government hospital, succumbed, he said. The condition of 16 others had improved, he said.

A medical team has been sent to the shelter home to observe the health of the remaining children. Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM and Health Minister Brajesh Pathak visited the hospital on Thursday to meet the children.

Speaking to reporters after his visit, Pathak said the affected children were receiving intensive medical care and are in stable condition. “One child is experiencing seizures but is out of danger,” he said.

The minister confirmed that food poisoning is suspected and that food samples from the rehabilitation centre have been sent for testing.