1 week ago
Malda Hospital Reports 60 Child Deaths, Including 10 In One Day
Sixty children died at a hospital in Malda during the first three weeks of August.
Ten of the deaths happened on one day.
Most of those 10 babies had been born somewhere else and arrived at the hospital very sick.
Two had been born at the Malda hospital.
In total, 44 of the 60 infants had been referred from other facilities.
Doctors mentioned problems such as breathing trouble, low birth weight, jaundice and heart conditions.
The West Bengal Health Department has asked the hospital for a detailed report.
Officials are also checking private hospitals, nursing homes and local health facilities involved in the children’s earlier care.
They want to know what happened in each case and whether healthcare procedures were properly followed.
West Bengal’s Health Department sought a detailed report after 60 children died at Malda Medical College and Hospital during the first three weeks of August.
Ten deaths were reported on a single day in the second week of August.
Eight of those 10 newborns had been born elsewhere and arrived at the hospital in critical condition; two were born at Malda Medical College and Hospital.
Of the 60 August deaths, 44 involved infants born at other facilities and referred to Malda after their conditions worsened.
Doctors cited conditions including low birth weight, respiratory distress, asphyxia, jaundice and congenital heart ailments, while officials review possible healthcare gaps.
- Who
- Sixty children treated at Malda Medical College and Hospital, hospital officials including superintendent Prasenjit Bar, and the West Bengal Health Department.
- What
- The Health Department sought a detailed report and began reviewing 60 child deaths recorded at the hospital, including 10 on a single day.
- Where
- Malda Medical College and Hospital in Malda, West Bengal.
- When
- During the first three weeks of August; the 10 deaths occurred on one day in the second week.
- Why
- The department is investigating the unusually high number of deaths, the care provided before referral, and possible gaps in maternal and newborn healthcare.
Hospital’s account
Health Department’s scrutiny
Condition of referred infants
Hospital’s account
Hospital officials said eight of the 10 babies who died that day had been born elsewhere and arrived at Malda in critical condition, with various serious medical conditions.
Health Department’s scrutiny
The Health Department is reviewing the deaths and examining the care provided by facilities that treated children before referring them to Malda.
Causes and responsibility
Hospital’s account
Doctors cited medical conditions including low birth weight, respiratory distress, asphyxia, jaundice and congenital heart ailments as factors in the deaths.
Health Department’s scrutiny
Officials are investigating the individual cases and checking whether gaps in healthcare arrangements or failures to follow maternal and child-health systems contributed to the deaths.
Key facts
- Total deaths
- 60 children died at Malda Medical College and Hospital during the first three weeks of August.
- Single-day deaths
- 10 newborns died on one day during the second week of August.
- Referred infants
- 44 of the 60 deaths involved infants born at other facilities and referred to Malda after their conditions deteriorated.
- Origin of 10 babies
- Eight were born elsewhere and brought to Malda in critical condition; two were born at the medical college.
- Reported conditions
- Reported conditions included low birth weight, respiratory distress, asphyxia, jaundice and congenital heart ailments.
- Hospital response
- A preliminary report was submitted, and a detailed report is being prepared.
- Wider review
- The Health Department is scrutinising private hospitals, nursing homes and block-level health facilities involved in earlier treatment.
Quotes
Dr Prasenjit Bar
Medical Superintendent-cum-Vice Principal of Malda Medical College and Hospital
“It is true that 10 children died in a single day here. Eight were brought in critical condition, and two were born at this facility.”
wionews.com
“We have already sent a primary report to the Health Department and the higher authorities. A detailed report is being prepared”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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