NHRC seeks report from Bengal govt over deaths of 60 newborns in Malda medical college

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of reports that at least 60 newborns died at Malda Medical College and Hospital during the first three weeks of August.

The commission has issued a notice to the West Bengal chief secretary, seeking a detailed report on the deaths within two weeks. It said that, if the reports are confirmed, the incident could raise serious concerns regarding possible violations of human rights.

At least 60 newborns reportedly died at the state-run hospital by Monday, with 10 deaths recorded on that day alone. The West Bengal government has sought a detailed report from the hospital to establish the reasons behind the deaths, Maktoob Media reported.

Authorities are also examining other hospitals and nursing homes in the Malda district where several of the infants had initially received treatment before being referred to the medical college.

Hospital Superintendent Prosenjit Bar said eight of the 10 infants who died on Monday had been born at other hospitals or nursing homes and were brought to Malda Medical College in critical condition, according to The Indian Express.

State health department officials cited by the newspaper said 44 of the 60 newborns who died had been born elsewhere and subsequently referred to the medical college. Hospital authorities said the infants were suffering from various conditions, including respiratory distress, jaundice and heart-related complications.

West Bengal Health Minister Shardwat Mukhopadhyay acknowledged that infant mortality in Malda district had increased and said the government had sought a detailed report to determine the circumstances and causes behind the deaths.

Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar described the deaths as unexpected and said the state health department was investigating the matter. He said appropriate action would follow if the deaths were found to have resulted from negligence and expressed his support for the affected families.

Majumdar also criticised the previous state government, alleging that medical colleges had expanded rapidly during the Trinamool Congress government without adequate infrastructure in some cases. He said bringing these institutions up to the required standards would take time.