89 infant deaths at Malda Medical College: MSVP removed, HoD Paediatrics transferred
Malda: Following the deaths of 89 infants and neonates at Malda Medical College and Hospital in August, the West Bengal Health Department has removed the medical superintendent-cum-vice principal from the post and transferred the head of the paediatrics department.
Dr Ganesh Chandra Gayen, head of the ENT department at the medical college, has been appointed as the new medical superintendent-cum-vice principal. In another administrative change, the head of the paediatrics department has also been replaced. Dr Biswanath Basu of NRS Medical College will take over the post, the Daily reported.
Also Read:Expert panel probes 89 newborn deaths at Malda Medical College in August
Speaking to TOI, Hospital principal Parthapratim Mukhopadhyay confirmed the decisions following instructions from Swasthya Bhawan, the state health department headquarters.
The administrative action followed an investigation by a four-member expert committee constituted by the health department to examine the unusually high number of infant and neonatal deaths at the hospital. The committee has submitted its findings and recommended that each death be examined separately to determine the circumstances and medical factors involved.
Medical Dialogues had previously reported that, taking note of 89 newborn deaths at Malda Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) in August, an expert-cum-inquiry committee formed by the West Bengal Health Department visited the hospital on Saturday to investigate the reported rise in newborn deaths.
The issue came to the fore after 10 children and neonates died in a single day at the hospital in August. More than 60 children reportedly died over the following three weeks while undergoing treatment. A subsequent assessment established that the total number of infant and neonatal deaths at the facility during August stood at 89.
Health department sources said the expert committee identified poor coordination between different departments, along with deficiencies in infrastructure and healthcare services at the hospital. A detailed report is expected to be submitted to the state government.
Officials, however, said the deaths could not be attributed to a single cause. Several medical conditions were reportedly associated with the cases, including malnutrition, respiratory distress following birth, cardiac complications, jaundice and low birth weight.
Experts are now examining the medical records, treatment details and investigation reports associated with each death.
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