Malda hospital reports at least 70 infant deaths in August

Malda: Malda Medical College and Hospital in West Bengal has submitted a detailed report to the State Health Department following the deaths of at least 70 newborns and infants below one year of age at the facility during August. The hospital’s Medical Superintendent and Vice-Principal, Dr Prasenjit Bar, confirmed the figure to PTI.

Health department seeks answers

The report was sent after the State Health Department sought details about the deaths and the circumstances surrounding them. Hospital authorities had earlier submitted a preliminary report before sending the more detailed document on Thursday.

Officials are examining the unusually high number of infant deaths and are looking into the treatment provided before the children were brought to the medical college.

Many babies were referred in critical condition

According to hospital sources, a large majority of the infants who died had been born elsewhere and were brought to Malda Medical College only after their health deteriorated.

Doctors have cited serious medical complications, including respiratory distress or asphyxia, jaundice, septicemia and congenital heart conditions. Low birth weight and malnutrition were also reported as contributing factors in some cases.

Earlier reports had highlighted that 10 newborns died at the hospital on a single day during the second week of August. Eight of those infants had been referred from other hospitals or nursing homes in critical condition, while two had been born at Malda Medical College.

Wider healthcare system under scrutiny

The inquiry is not limited to Malda Medical College. Officials have begun examining other health facilities in the district, including private hospitals, nursing homes and block-level healthcare centres, to understand the referral chain and the treatment provided before the infants reached the tertiary facility.

The detailed report is expected to help authorities establish the circumstances behind the deaths and determine whether any gaps in healthcare or referral procedures contributed to the tragedy.