Expert panel probes 89 newborn deaths at Malda Medical College in August

Siliguri: 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 committee, headed by Additional Director of Health Services (ADHS) Dr Pralay Acharya, held a detailed meeting with doctors, paramedical staff and other health officials associated with the treatment of newborn babies.

The principal and vice-principal of Malda Medical College and Hospital also attended the meeting. Among the members of the team were senior doctors Dr Rajsekhar Sarkar, Dr Bholanath Aich and Dr Bijan Saha, besides other specialists. 

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According to the principal of Malda Medical College and Hospital, Dr Pratha Pratim Mukherjee, “Eighty-nine infant babies died till August 28.” He said the average daily death rate in August was around 3.3. In July, the figure of deaths was 77, reports UNI.

The state health department took note of the increase in newborn deaths and sent the expert-cum-inquiry committee to analyse the situation and suggest measures to bring it under control.

After the prolonged meeting, Dr Pralay Acharya said the discussion primarily focused on what measures could be taken to control the situation. 

“We hope that with the measures discussed today, the situation can be brought under control,” Dr Acharya said.

He said the death rate in August appeared to be abnormal over a short period and that the committee had analysed the situation. “Measures have to be taken within the coming 48 hours, and the process has already started,” he said.

Dr Acharya stressed the need to strengthen the healthcare system from the grassroots and field level to the medical college and hospital.

“From field level to hospital level, from grassroots level to Medical College and Hospital, measures have to be taken. The main thing is awareness among the community,” he said.

He also emphasised the need to strengthen the activities of health workers and improve coordination between the field-level health system and the medical college.

According to Dr Acharya, there could be several reasons behind newborn deaths, including infections, low birth weight and congenital problems.

He said the committee had found that there were gaps in the system, but existing resources could be used more effectively to improve the situation.

“Government has its limitations, but the government is trying,” Dr Acharya said.

He also emphasised the need to develop the district health system and improve coordination among different levels of healthcare. 

He said timely reporting of newborn deaths by doctors treating the babies, he said, would help the health department analyse the situation and take corrective measures.

The committee also discussed the need to improve infrastructure, raise community awareness and examine the problems faced by newborn babies from the field level to the hospital. 

Dr Acharya said the situation in Malda appeared to be somewhat abnormal, prompting the health department to send the expert team for a detailed analysis.

The findings and suggestions of the committee are expected to help the authorities take further measures to prevent newborn deaths.

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