West Bengal: Infant deaths October 2011 - Jan 2013

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: West Bengal: Infant deaths October 2011 - Date. Latest: Infant deaths return in Malda: 39 die since June 1 - Classified as AES

Malda hospital neonatal death 8
Jul 17, 08:09 pm

Malda, communicate formula: Kolkata Medical College and Hospital in the last 24 hours in 8 neonatal deaths. In age from newborn to 14 days. The incidence of neonatal death is spread throughout the city through it again. Dead baby's family has been a complaint of negligence in the treatment. Dr. Asit Biswas, head of the Department of Health reported that neonatal deaths have been reported by telephone. The subject being investigated. The situation is being monitored. The incidence of neonatal death repeatedly in the past year in the Malda Medical College and Hospital was named. Prevent neonatal death Kolkata Medical College and Hospital for Sick Born Care Unit was opened. More doctors and health workers have been appointed. The neonatal death, raising questions about the health service. The issue of district health officials refused to say anything.

http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/news/local/westbengal/4_13_9478970.html

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: West Bengal: Infant deaths October 2011 - Date. Latest: Infant deaths return in Malda: 39 die since June 1 - Classified as AES

Another outbreak from Malda - Between November 2011 and Feb 2012, around 200 infants died at the hospital in a similar outbreak. (See from post #10 on in this thread). - Ro

Malda Crib death toll rises to 27
STAFF WRITER 10:36 HRS IST
Malda(WB), Nov 28 (PTI) Four more children died at the Malda College and Hospital, taking the total number of crib deaths since Saturday last to 27.

While three children died this morning, another died last night, hospital sources said today.

The cause of the death was malnourishment, underweight, and premature birth, they said, adding they were admitted to the hospital in very critical condition.

http://ptinews.com/news/3167193_Malda-Crib-death-toll-rises-to-27

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: West Bengal: Infant deaths October 2011 - Date. Latest: Infant deaths return in Malda: 39 die since June 1 - Classified as AES

Infant deaths return
A A EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE :KOLKATA, NOV 28 2012, 05:28 IST


Kolkata: Malda 13 die in last 48 hrs, doctors blame it on poor infrastructure.
The crib deaths returned to the state government with 13 more infants dying in the last 48 hours at Malda Medical College and Hospital.
Senior officials of the state Health Department said six newborns died between Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday night, three babies died, while on Monday and Tuesday, a total of around 13 babies died. Babies were aged between 0-1 year.
Hospital authorities said that most of the babies died due to low birth weight and birth asphyxia (breathing trouble). They said eight babies were from neighbouring Bihar and Jharkhand, and six of them died even before being admitted to the hospital.
Health officials added that the inflow of patients at the district hospital has increased considerably, though infrastructure improvement has not been much. The neo-natal ward has not been revamped yet, though a proposal was made by the Health Department a month ago. Also, the sick newborn care unit (SNCU) is filled to capacity and because of lack of space, babies have to be kept on the floors.
...

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/infant-deaths-return/1037362

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: West Bengal: Infant deaths October 2011 - Date. Latest: Infant deaths return in Mada - 27 deaths in the past 5 days

WB Governor expresses concern over Malda crib deaths
Press Trust of India / Burdwan (WB) November 29, 2012, 15:55

West Bengal Governor M K Narayanan today expressed concern over crib deaths in Malda Medical College Hospital.

"The death of infants in Malda is unfortunate...The problem exists and I hope it will be solved soon," Narayanan said in his chancellor's address at the 33rd convocation of Burdwan University.

A total 27 infants have died at the hospital since Saturday in a rerun of the scare that took place last winter and caused a large number of crib deaths.
...

http://www.business-standard.com/generalnews/news/wb-governor-expresses-concern-over-malda-crib-deaths/85581/

Health task force checks Malda hospital, officials claim situation not alarming0
Nov 29, 2012 at 4:09 PM
Tags: Infant mortality, Malda crib deaths, Malda Medical College and Hospital, Malnutrition, Mamata Banerjee



There was no fresh crib death at the Malda College and Hospital here, with the toll remaining at 27 since Saturday while state health officials claimed that the situation was not ?alarming?. ?The situation is not as alarming as made out in the media. The infrastructure at the Paediatric and the Sick Neonatal Care Unit in the hospital has improved,? Dr Tridip Banerjee, chairman of the state-appointed health task force, told reporters here.
Banerjee and another member of the task force inspected the Paediatric and the Sick Neonatal Care Unit and spoke to the college superintendent, doctors and family members of children admitted.The Paediatric and the Sick Neonatal Care Unit have 46 and 22 beds respectively.
...

http://health.india.com/news/health-task-force-checks-malda-hospital-officials-claim-situation-not-alarming/

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: West Bengal: Infant deaths October 2011 - Date. Latest: Infant deaths return in Mada - 27 deaths in the past 5 days

Crib deaths: two union ministers visit Malda hospital
Press Trust of India / Malda (WB) December 01, 2012, 18:35

Deepa Dasmunsi, the bete noire of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and another union minister from West Bengal today visited Malda Medical College and Hospital where 37 infants died in six days since Saturday.

Dasmunsi, minister of state for urban development, and Abu Hasem Khan Chowdhury, minister of state for health, said they visited the hospital to review the situation following the crib deaths.

"Several hundred children died at the hospital last year too. Still the situation has not been changed," said the minister who also talked to the hospital authorities.

Khan Chowdhury dismissed the authorities' explanation that they were under tremendous pressure as patients come to them from even neighbouring districts and states.
...

http://business-standard.com/generalnews/news/crib-deaths-two-union-ministers-visit-malda-hospital/86740/

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: West Bengal: Infant deaths October 2011 - Date. Latest: Infant deaths return in Mada - 37 deaths in the past week

Extracts below, but worth reading the full expose - http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-sho...t/20121204.htm


Why are children dying by the dozen in Bengal's Malda district?
Last updated on: December 4, 2012 12:05 IST
Indrani Roy in Malda, West Bengal
The Malda Medical College and Hospital in West Bengal has become infamous for the unbelievable number of infant deaths there. Indrani Roy sets out to find out why.

The first in a three-part series.


In an interview to Rediff.com in 2009, acclaimed writer Mahasweta Devi had said, "Statistics say that of all the Indian states, our state leads in child mortality rate."

Politically, things have undergone a sea-change in West Bengal since then.

People have ousted the three-decade-old Left Front government and have brought into power the Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee.

But what about child mortality rate?

The situation has not improved, it seems.
...
The day we visited the Malda Medical College and Hospital, the first thing that hit us was the strong stench of urine wafting from every nook and corner.

It was suffocating.
...
"There is an acute shortage of staff -- be it doctors, nurses, ward boys, group D employees."
...
The hospital does have a Neonatal Care Unit and Sick Neonatal Unit, but their infrastructure is so poor that it can put to shame even the healthcare centre of the remotest villages.

There are 23 and 22 beds in those two units whereas the general paediatric department can accommodate about 44 patients only.

However, the daily number of patients is always over 100.
...
Speaking to Rediff.com, Chowdhury said, "Most of the children who passed away were brought to the hospital in a very bad state.

"Some of them were shifted from hospitals located in other districts and the adjacent state of Jharkhand.

"Their condition deteriorates on the way and not much can be done once they arrive here.
...
"A few days back, my nephew had been admitted here with seasonal cold and breathlessness, illnesses that are hardly fatal.

"But we had to wait for hours before he could be attended to.

"And when the first injection was pushed into him, it was too late."
...
'I'll never forgive the doctors of Malda Hospital' http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-sho...l/20121205.htm
Last updated on: December 6, 2012 17:49 IST


Indrani Roy in Malda, West Bengal
After reporting on the alarming story of West Bengal's Malda Medical College and Hospital, where hundreds of children have lost their lives due to alleged negligence, Indrani Roy speaks to the relatives of some of the ill-fated patients.

This is the second part of the three-part series.
...
On the day of labour, Jahanara was taken to Malda Medical College and Hospital and on reaching there, she was immediately shifted to the operation theatre for a caesarian delivery.

"In a semi-conscious state, I heard a voice whispering into my ears, 'Mubarak ho! (Congratulations!) you have a baby boy," Jahanara told Rediff.com.

"My folks would be so happy with the arrival of a new member, I thought. It was bliss."

But Jahanara's happiness lived only for a few days.

"On the third day, my baby developed breathing infection and despite my repeated pleas to the doctors and nurses, he failed to get proper and timely care.

"After a while, my baby's heart gave way. I was holding him so tight didi till his last breath," said Jahanara, her eyes welling up.

"Life was snuffed out of my little one's body. I will never forgive the doctors of Malda Hospital," she said.
...

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: West Bengal: Infant deaths October 2011 - Date. Latest: Infant deaths return in Malda - 37 deaths in the past week

WB: Four babies die in Malda Medical College Hospital
Last Updated: Wednesday, January 09, 2013, 22:24

Malda: Four new-born children died in Malda Medical College and Hospital here in this district headquarter town of Malda district.

Vice-principal of the medical college M A Rashid said the babies died since last night of broncho-pneumonia.
...

http://zeenews.india.com/news/west-bengal/wb-four-babies-die-in-malda-medical-college-hospital_821875.html

Six neonatal deaths in Malda hospital
Updated on: Thu, 10 Jan 2013 07:10 PM (IST)

Malda, communicate formula: Malda Medical College and Hospital Wednesday night, Thursday morning, killing six newborn. The newborn was ill due to severe cold humorist. Although neonatal death have not received any complaints about the treatment of negligence. Malda Medical College Vice Principal Dr. MA Rashid said that every effort is being treated.

http://www.jagran.com/west-bengal/malda-10026022.html

MMCH: 9 babies dead, emergency meet called
By Our Correspondent,On 01-16-2013

Malda

An emergency meeting of the Malda district health committee was held on Tuesday evening as nine babies died at the Malda Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) in the last 24 hours.

In fact, the death toll crossed 25 within the first two weeks of January. Tourism minister Krishnendu Choudhury, who is also the chairman of the MMCH health committee, admitted to the death of the nine babies.

Although the MMCH authorities were reticent about the reason for the deaths, sources at the hospital claimed that most of them died of cold and asphyxia. Five of them died in the neonatal care unit, one died in the sick newborn care unit (SNCU) and three died immediately after birth in the paediatric ward. Of the nine babies, six were born at the MMCH whereas three were brought from outside. Hospital superintendent Himadri Ari said the state health department had been apprised of the crib deaths.
...

http://portal.thebengalpost.com/index.php/index/newsdetails/MMCH-9-babies-dead-emergency-meet-called-245191431358263424

Nine infants died in Malda Medical College
Updated on: Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:51 AM (IST)

48 hour dead baby was suffering from pneumonia and shortness of breath

Malda, Snwadsutr: Malda Medical College in the last 48 hours, nine infants died brought for treatment. Dead children's ages range from newborn to a year is reported. College of the formula the children were suffering from pneumonia and shortness of breath. The children were residents of Malda district. Have not received any complaints of negligence in treatment. Patients known infant deaths a year in Malda Medical College Newspaper headlines are made. Medical College formula to the child's death has denied any remarks. However, state Tourism Minister Narayan Chaudhary said krishnendu infant patients' condition is better than in previous days. Doctors and health workers are trying our very best.

http://www.jagran.com/west-bengal/malda-10044889.html

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: West Bengal: Infant deaths October 2011 - Date. Latest: Infant deaths return in Malda - 25 deaths in Jan 2013

This should have been the real headline - Ro
"Crib deaths are happening because most of the babies are born premature and are grossly underweight and malnourished. The problem is underage marriage of girls and lack of infrastructure in rural and remote areas," she said.



Mamata Banerjee blames crib deaths in West Bengal on influx of patients from Bihar WEST BENGAL, Posted on Jan 22, 2013 at 05:20pm IST
IANS

Kolkata: Attributing crib deaths to underweight and malnourished babies, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday labelled the influx of patients from neighbouring Bihar as a problem. "You know what our problem is? Many people from Bihar bring their children for treatment to hospitals in Malda and Murshidabad (districts)," Mamata said while inaugurating a fair price medicine shop here.
However, she was quick to add, "Bihar is our neighbour and we have to treat children coming from there. We are ready to do it. You cannot discriminate between human beings." Hospitals in Malda district have been in the news for regular crib deaths.
...

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mamata-banerjee-blames-crib-deaths-in-west-bengal-on-influx-of-patients-from-bihar/317160-3-231.html