Malda: In a strong move against medical negligence, the Malda district administration has imposed a penalty of Rs 5 lakh on Khwaza Baba Nursing Home in Kaliachak and recommended suspension or cancellation of its clinical establishment license. The action follows the tragic deaths of a mother and her newborn son, allegedly due to gross lapses in medical care.
Mizan Sheikh, a resident of Jharkhand, alleged that on June 12, while trying to admit his pregnant wife, Phultusi Khatun, to Malda Medical College and Hospital (MMCH), an ambulance driver misled them and took them to Khwaza Baba Nursing Home in Kaliachak. “Without conducting proper medical tests, they performed a C-section at night,” said Sheikh.
Shortly after birth, the baby’s condition deteriorated and the family was advised to take him to Malda Medical College and Hospital. The following morning, when Sheikh returned to the nursing home, he found his wife’s body being moved without a clear explanation. He claimed that no proper medical updates or documents were provided. Based on his complaint, the district surveillance team launched an investigation and uncovered multiple violations, including lack of documentation, discrepancies in Swasthya Sathi health card entries and procedural lapses during delivery.
Sheikh Ansar Ahmed, Additional District Magistrate, said: “We are not going to tolerate any negligence in health services. The nursing home was found to be in serious violation of healthcare norms. A Rs 5 lakh penalty has been imposed and we have recommended cancellation or suspension of its clinical establishment license.”
The facility has also been permanently delisted from the state’s Swasthya Sathi scheme. While the nursing home has denied all allegations, the administration maintains that accountability and patient safety remain top priorities.
Meanwhile, another nursing home in Chanchal II, Maa Sayera Nursing Home, was sealed on Tuesday for operating despite closure notices from ADM (Health) and CMOH. Key violations included expired CE license, absence of RMO and GNM and no WBPCB clearance. A pregnant woman’s death due to alleged negligence triggered the action.