5 days ago
Malda Hospital Reports 60 Newborn Deaths, Probe And Inspections Launched
A hospital in Malda, West Bengal, reported that 60 babies died during August through Monday.
Ten of the babies died on the same day, identified in one report as August 24.
Hospital officials said many babies had first been treated elsewhere.
Forty-four babies were referred to the hospital from other hospitals or nursing homes.
Officials said these babies arrived in critical condition.
Some babies had breathing problems, jaundice, or heart problems.
The government has started an investigation and asked the hospital for a detailed report.
Health officials are also checking private hospitals and nursing homes in the district.
Malda Medical College and Hospital recorded 60 infant deaths in August through Monday.
Ten newborns died at the hospital on a single day, identified as August 24.
Officials said 44 of the 60 babies were referred from other facilities in critical condition.
The deaths involved infants with respiratory distress, jaundice, or heart problems, officials said.
The health department sought a report and began inspections, including raids at 16 facilities.
- Who
- Malda Medical College and Hospital, state health officials, and district authorities are investigating the deaths.
- What
- The hospital reported 60 infant deaths in August through Monday, including 10 on one day.
- Where
- Malda Medical College and Hospital and other hospitals and nursing homes in Malda district, West Bengal.
- When
- The deaths were reported through Monday; one article identifies the single-day deaths as occurring on August 24.
- Why
- Officials are investigating the increased infant mortality rate and the conditions in facilities where the babies were treated.
Hospital And Health Officials
Political Criticism
Where the babies were treated
Hospital And Health Officials
Hospital officials emphasized that eight of the 10 babies who died on the reported single day, and 44 of the 60 overall, were born elsewhere and referred to the medical college in critical condition.
Political Criticism
Health officials began inspecting private hospitals and nursing homes, describing the situation as alarming and raising questions about childbirth conditions in those facilities.
Responsibility for the wider problem
Hospital And Health Officials
Health Minister Shardwat Mukhopadhyay said Malda’s infant mortality rate had increased and called for a detailed report to determine why and how it happened.
Political Criticism
Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar blamed the previous Trinamool Congress government for poor infrastructure at the medical college and said rebuilding the system would take time.
Key facts
- Reported deaths
- 60 infant deaths at Malda Medical College and Hospital in August through Monday.
- Single-day deaths
- 10 newborns died on one day, identified as August 24 in one report.
- Referred infants
- 44 of the 60 babies were born elsewhere and later referred to the medical college.
- Deaths after MMCH deliveries
- Sources said 16 of the 60 infants were delivered at Malda Medical College and Hospital.
- Reported medical conditions
- Some infants had respiratory distress, jaundice, or heart problems.
- Inspections
- Health officials inspected or raided 16 hospitals and nursing homes in the district.
- Government response
- The health department requested a detailed report; the hospital submitted a preliminary report.
Quotes
Shardwat Mukhopadhyay
West Bengal state Health Minister
“There are numerous problems across various sectors, including health and education. You cannot simply flip a switch today and expect everything to change by tomorrow. Even if the government changes, the system cannot be overhauled instantly; it requires time.”
indianexpress.com
“Of the 10 children, only two were born at Malda Medical College. The rest were referred here from outside in a critical condition.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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