In the last 15 days, 41 infant deaths have taken place at a paediatric hospital in Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said Wednesday.

The deaths were reported at the G B Pant hospital in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

It is the only paediatric hospital in the city meant to cater the rush from 12 districts.

According to a report, nine infant deaths were reported in last 24 hours.

Official records showed 32 infants in the age group of 0-1 year (neonates) had died at the hospital up to May 14 but nine infant deaths on May 14 took the toll to 41.

Patients blame the government for its apathy towards the increase in deaths. "It is a matter of concern that deaths are taking place at an alarming pace and government is not bothered to look into it," said a Ghulam Mohammed, an attendant accompanying a patient."The deaths are taking place because of apathy of management."

However, hospital authorities deny deaths in the hospital are taking place due to their negligence. "Our hospital remains overburdened and critical patients are being referred, so people feel that deaths take place here,"said Dr Javaid Choudhary, medical superintendent of the hospital.

The hospital is facing an acute shortage of trained staff and medical equipment.

The doctors said they are unable to cope with the huge overload because of a shortage of trained staff and machines.

In the intensive care unit (ICU) of the hospital, there are only five ventilators. Doctors said they require at least 30 ventilators.

The region's chief minister has ordered an inquiry into the infant deaths on Monday.

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