The West Bengal Health Department has dismissed the superintendent and the head of the paediatrics department at Malda Medical College and Hospital. This decision follows the tragic deaths of 89 newborns at the facility in August. The actions taken reflect the department’s response to the serious situation and aim to address the concerns surrounding neonatal care in the hospital.
Health Department Acts Following Hospital Inspection
The Health Department has issued orders following a recent inspection of Malda Medical College and Hospital. This action comes after a seven-member expert committee reviewed the hospital’s paediatrics and maternity departments in light of recent deaths. The inspection took place last Saturday, led by Health Department official Prolay Acharya, who also met with the hospital’s officials to discuss the findings.
The committee is expected to submit its findings in writing to the State Health Department. Professor Bishwanath Basu of the Medicine (Paediatrics) department at NRS Medical College and Hospital has been appointed head of the paediatrics department, replacing Shaw. The Health Department’s expert committee is expected to submit its report on the newborn deaths and the functioning of the hospital’s paediatrics and maternity departments.
During the visit, the team raised concerns over a lack of coordination among different departments of the medical college, according to hospital sources.
