2 hrs ago
Bengal Removes Malda Hospital Officials After 89 Infant Deaths
Eighty-nine infants and newborn babies died at a hospital in Malda during August.
The West Bengal Health Department removed the hospital’s top superintendent.
One report also says the head of the paediatrics department was removed.
Experts visited the hospital to study what happened.
They found problems with coordination between departments and possible weaknesses in infrastructure and services.
Officials said several medical conditions and malnutrition may have contributed to the deaths.
Experts are reviewing the medical records of each death.
New officials were appointed to lead the hospital and its paediatrics department.
West Bengal’s Health Department removed Malda Medical College and Hospital’s superintendent after 89 infant and neonatal deaths in August.
A second report says the head of the paediatrics department, Sushma Shaw, was also removed.
The action followed an expert committee inspection and a report on the deaths and hospital operations.
The committee identified poor coordination between departments and shortcomings in infrastructure and services, according to officials and hospital sources.
Ganesh Chandra Gain and Bishwanath Basu were appointed as replacements and were expected to take charge on Monday.
- Who
- The West Bengal Health Department removed MSVP superintendent Prosenjit Bar, also spelled Prosenjit Bor in another report, and reportedly paediatrics head Sushma Shaw.
- What
- Hospital officials were removed after 89 infant and neonatal deaths were recorded in August, and replacements were appointed.
- Where
- Malda Medical College and Hospital in Malda district, West Bengal.
- When
- The deaths occurred in August; the removal orders were issued on Saturday after an expert inspection the previous Saturday, with replacements expected to take charge on Monday.
- Why
- The action followed the deaths and an expert review that identified possible coordination, infrastructure and service shortcomings.
Key facts
- Reported deaths
- 89 infants and neonates died at the hospital during August.
- Officials removed
- Prosenjit Bar/Bor was removed as MSVP superintendent; a second report also names paediatrics head Sushma Shaw.
- Expert inspection
- A committee inspected the paediatrics and maternity departments and reviewed the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
- Committee size
- Reports differ, describing the panel as either four members or seven members.
- Reported concerns
- Officials and hospital sources cited weak departmental coordination and shortcomings in infrastructure and services.
- Possible contributing factors
- A Health Department official cited malnutrition, respiratory distress after birth, heart-related issues, jaundice and low birth weight among reported factors.
- Replacements
- Ganesh Chandra Gain was appointed superintendent and Bishwanath Basu was appointed head of paediatrics.
Quotes
A state department official
An official from West Bengal’s State Health Department discussing the inquiry findings
“Multiple factors have been identified behind the infant and neonatal deaths, with malnutrition being a key one.”
thehansindia.com
“Lapses have also been observed regarding infrastructure and services.”
thehansindia.com
Partha Pratim Mukherjee
Principal of Malda Medical College and Hospital
“The newly appointed superintendent and head of the children's department will take charge on Monday.”
NDTV
Sources
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