Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Bengal Replaces 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 then changed some of the hospital’s senior doctors.
The hospital’s superintendent, Prasenjit Bar, was removed from the administrative job and told to return to his department.
The head of paediatrics, Sushama Sahoo, was transferred to another government hospital.
A team of experts visited the hospital to study what happened.
The team found problems with coordination between departments and possible weaknesses in services and infrastructure.
Officials said the deaths may have involved several medical problems, including malnutrition and low birth weight.
More doctors were sent to Malda, and experts are reviewing the records of each death.
The West Bengal Health Department removed MSVP Prasenjit Bar from Malda Medical College and Hospital after 89 infant and neonatal deaths in August.
The head of paediatrics, Sushama Sahoo, was transferred to Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital, according to one report.
Reports differ on whether the investigating expert panel had four or seven members; both say it inspected the hospital after the deaths.
The panel and health officials cited poor coordination among departments and shortcomings in infrastructure and services.
Ganesh Chandra Gayen was appointed MSVP, while additional paediatricians, including Biswanath Basu and Sandip Kumar Mandal, were posted to the hospital.
- Who
- The West Bengal Health Department replaced MSVP Prasenjit Bar and transferred paediatrics head Sushama Sahoo; additional doctors were posted to the hospital.
- What
- Administrative changes and new medical postings were made after 89 infant and neonatal deaths were reported in August.
- When
- The deaths occurred in August; the changes were ordered on Saturday after an expert inspection the previous week.
- Where
- Malda Medical College and Hospital in Malda district, West Bengal.
- Why
- The action followed an expert review that cited poor departmental coordination and shortcomings in infrastructure and services; officials also identified multiple possible medical factors behind the deaths.
- Reported deaths
- 89 infants and neonates died at the hospital during August.
- Official removed
- Prasenjit Bar was relieved as medical superintendent-cum-vice-principal and asked to return to the pathology department.
- Paediatrics head
- Sushama Sahoo was transferred to Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital.
- New MSVP
- Ganesh Chandra Gayen of the ENT department was appointed the new MSVP.
- Additional doctors
- Biswanath Basu, Sandip Kumar Mandal and Akbor Ahmed were posted or transferred to the paediatrics department.
- Reported concerns
- Sources cited weak coordination among departments and shortcomings in infrastructure and services.
- Possible contributing factors
- Officials mentioned malnutrition, respiratory distress after birth, heart-related conditions, jaundice and low birth weight.
- Panel discrepancy
- One report described a four-member expert team, while another described a seven-member committee.
