West Bengal health department seeks report on 60 child deaths at Malda hospital

MALDA: The West Bengal health department has sought a detailed report from Malda Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) after 60 children died at the facility during the first three weeks of August, including 10 deaths reported in a single day in the second week.

The department has launched a review of MMCH and is also scrutinizing private hospitals, nursing homes and block-level health facilities where many of the children were initially treated before being referred to the medical college.

Of the 10 children who died on the same day, eight had been born at other facilities and were brought to MMCH in critical condition. The remaining two were born at MMCH. An initial investigation is underway, and a preliminary report has already been submitted to the state government.

Doctors said the affected newborns had suffered from conditions including respiratory distress, jaundice and congenital heart ailments. MMCH superintendent Prasenjit Bar confirmed the deaths and said the hospital was preparing a detailed report for the state health department.

“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,” Bar said.

Of the 60 deaths recorded in August, 44 involved infants who were born at other facilities and referred to MMCH after their conditions deteriorated. Officials have so far inspected 16 hospitals and nursing homes as part of the probe.

Malda district magistrate is scheduled to hold a meeting on Thursday to review the situation and discuss the findings of the ongoing investigation.