10 babies die in one day: Bengal hospital records 60 newborn deaths in 3 weeks

Kolkata: A health department review is underway at West Bengal's Malda Medical College and Hospital after 10 newborns died in a single day on August 12. Eight of the infants had been referred from other hospitals and private nursing homes in critical condition, while the hospital recorded 60 newborn deaths in the first three weeks of August.

Ten newborns died at Malda Medical College and Hospital on August 12, according to hospital authorities. Eight of the infants had been referred from other government healthcare facilities and private nursing homes after arriving in critical condition.

Hospital officials said the infants suffered from serious complications including congenital heart disease, severe respiratory distress and other medical conditions. Two of the 10 babies had been born at Malda Medical College.

The hospital recorded 60 newborn deaths during the first three weeks of August. Of these, 44 babies had been referred from other facilities, while 16 were born at the medical college.

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The state health department has launched a review and sought case details of the deceased infants. Health officials are also examining the hospitals, nursing homes and block-level facilities from which many of the babies were referred.

The hospital has submitted a preliminary report, with a comprehensive report expected to follow. Officials have also begun inspecting private hospitals and nursing homes to assess newborn-care facilities, infrastructure and staffing.

The state government is reviewing the referral system for critically ill newborns and examining prenatal and antenatal care at facilities that refer patients to tertiary hospitals. A district-level meeting is also scheduled to review the findings of the ongoing investigation.

Analysis

The high number of referral cases is a key focus of the inquiry. Hospital authorities have said most of the infants arrived in critical condition, meaning the investigation will need to examine both the care provided before referral and the treatment received after admission.

The review could also lead to changes in how high-risk newborns are identified, stabilised and transferred from primary and secondary facilities to tertiary hospitals. The findings of the state health department's inquiry will be important in determining the circumstances behind the deaths.