Six babies die at hospital in eastern India

Six babies die at hospital in eastern India

2011-11-11 03:54:14 GMT+7 (ICT)

NEW DELHI (BNO NEWS) -- At least six babies have died within a single day at a hospital in India's eastern district of Malda, the Times of India reported on Thursday. An investigation has been ordered.

The hospital authority denied any fault on part of the doctors but conceded that the number of deaths is abnormal. "The babies were either underweight or suffering from acute diseases. Doctors had little to do in these deaths," the hospital superintendent Dr. H Ari was quoted as saying.

A 4-day-old baby who was suffering from breathing problems succumbed to her ailment on early Tuesday morning. On the same day, a 4-month-old baby got admitted to the hospital and died within two hours.

A 9-month-old baby suffering from pneumonia died after a few hours of treatment while two newborns also died on Tuesday. The last victim was a 6-month-old baby.

"The primary report from the hospital claims that the babies were either suffering from bronchopneumonia or asphyxia. Some of them were born premature," Director of Health Services Dr. S P Basak said. "However, we have sought the detailed report of individual deaths from the hospital authority."

The hospital authority blamed the deaths on a lack of infrastructure, noting there is only one pediatric doctor at the hospital, the report said. An investigation has been ordered to determine if anyone was responsible for the deaths.

Late last month, at least 13 babies died in just three days at a state-run hospital in the eastern city of Kolkata, 347 kilometers (215 miles) from Malda district. A group of relatives of children who died blocked a road outside the government-run hospital, accusing the hospital of negligence.

Doctors denied the negligence allegations, claiming that on average, the hospital does see about five to six deaths a day. They said that most of the infants who had died were brought to the hospital in a critical condition.

In June, the deaths of 21 babies at the same hospital within two days also sparked protests by angry parents. Authorities ordered an investigation, but the inquiry absolved the hospital of medical negligence.

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