Murshidabad: 14 infants die at hospital in three days, govt sends team to probe: Officials
The hospital has alleged that some of the deaths occurred as the children were referred to the medical college in serious condition and at the “last minute”
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Officials said the team sent from Kolkata would be submitting a report based on its findings. “We have already taken necessary action. We will be able to identify the cause of the deaths only after getting the report," said a senior health department official. (Representational Image)The West Bengal health department has sent a team to probe the death of 14 infants in three days at the Murshidabad Medical College in Berhampore city, officials said on Saturday. The deaths were reported between Wednesday and Friday, they added. The hospital has alleged that some of the deaths occurred as the children were referred to the medical college in serious condition and at the “last minute”.
Officials said the team sent from Kolkata would be submitting a report based on its findings. “We have already taken necessary action. We will be able to identify the cause of the deaths only after getting the report,” said a senior health department official.
Sources in the government-run hospital said two children died on Friday night. “The two children were under treatment at a private hospital in Jharkhand. As their condition deteriorated, they were shifted to Murshidabad Medical College. Both died in the hospital late Friday night,” said a source.
Dr Bholanath Aich, a paediatrician at the Murshidabad Medical College, alleged the children who died had multiple health issues like congenital problems and undernourishment. “Some of the children who died were underweight and had pneumonia. They weighed around 400-600 grams. They were referred to the hospital at the last minute…Four of the children had congenital problems. One was brain dead and another one was suffering from a heart disease.” “Seven of the children who died were aged between one and four days. The others were within nine months of age,” he added.
“The Murshidabad Medical College’s Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) is built to accommodate 54 children but over a 100 children are currently admitted in the ward,” said another official.
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