4 days ago
NHRC Seeks Report After 62 Newborns Die at Malda Hospital
Many newborn babies have died at Malda Medical College and Hospital in August.
Reports said at least 60 babies died during the first three weeks of the month.
After twins died on Friday, the reported total rose to 62.
The National Human Rights Commission has asked West Bengal officials to explain what happened.
It wants the report within two weeks.
A team from the state health department will also visit the hospital.
Hospital officials said many babies were born somewhere else and brought in only when they were already very sick.
Doctors said they tried to save the twins but could not.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) workers protested and gave the hospital a memorandum.
The National Human Rights Commission sought a detailed report on newborn deaths at Malda Medical College and Hospital.
The NHRC cited reports of at least 60 deaths during the first three weeks of August, including 10 in one day.
Twin newborns died on Friday, bringing the hospital's reported August total to 62.
A West Bengal health department delegation is scheduled to inspect the hospital and review the deaths.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) demonstrated at the hospital, while officials said many infants arrived in critical condition after being born elsewhere.
- Who
- The National Human Rights Commission, West Bengal health authorities, Malda Medical College and Hospital officials, and Communist Party of India (Marxist) workers are involved.
- What
- The NHRC has sought a report into reported newborn deaths at Malda Medical College and Hospital; the reported August total reached 62 after twins died.
- Where
- Malda Medical College and Hospital in Malda, West Bengal.
- When
- The deaths were reported during August, with the twins dying on Friday morning; the NHRC issued its notice on Friday and a state delegation was due Saturday.
- Why
- The NHRC and state authorities acted after reports of an unusually high number of newborn deaths, while hospital officials attributed many cases to infants arriving in critical condition after being born elsewhere.
Accountability concerns
Hospital explanation
Cause of the deaths
Accountability concerns
The NHRC and Communist Party of India (Marxist) response reflects concern over the unusually high number of newborn deaths and calls for an official explanation.
Hospital explanation
Malda Medical College and Hospital officials said most of the infants who died had been born elsewhere and arrived in highly critical condition.
Response to the situation
Accountability concerns
The NHRC sought a report and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) protested, emphasizing the need for scrutiny of the hospital's performance.
Hospital explanation
The state health department requested a report, planned an inspection, and hospital officials said they had already submitted information about the deaths.
Key facts
- Reported August deaths
- 62 newborns, after twin deaths on Friday morning
- NHRC-cited figure
- At least 60 newborns reportedly died during the first three weeks of August
- Deaths in one day
- The NHRC cited a report of 10 newborn deaths in one day
- NHRC action
- A notice was issued to the West Bengal chief secretary, requesting a report within two weeks
- State response
- A West Bengal health department delegation was scheduled to inspect the hospital
- Hospital explanation
- Officials said many infants were born outside the hospital and transferred only after becoming highly critical
- Political response
- Communist Party of India (Marxist) workers demonstrated and submitted a memorandum
Quotes
Prasenjit Bar
Medical superintendent and vice principal of Malda Medical College and Hospital
“I have no information regarding the move of NHRC India. But a delegation of the state health department will indeed be here at MMCH to inspect the situation in connection with deaths of the newborns. We have also complied with the direction of the state health authorities and have sent a report on deaths of the newborns in our hospital a couple of days back.”
telegraphindia.com
“The twins were born in a nursing home and brought to our hospital in a vulnerable condition. Our doctors tried hard, but the newborns did not survive. The majority of the newborns who died in MMCH were born outside and brought to our hospital only after their situation became highly critical.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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