Death of infant sparks outrage at city hospital

Kolkata: The family members of a 4-month-old infant who died due to alleged medical negligence at Dr B C Roy Hospital on Tuesday, staged a demonstration demanding action against those responsible behind his death.

The incident triggered tension among the patients and their family members inside the hospital campus on Tuesday morning.

The infant, identified as Ankon Tarafdar, a resident of Ghoshpara area of Kestopur, was admitted to the hospital on March 4 as he had been suffering from high fever. The infant was taken to the ICU on Saturday night as his condition deteriorated.

On Sunday night, the health condition of the baby deteriorated further as a result of which the doctors decided to shift him to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). All the efforts of the doctors went in vain when the patient succumbed to his ailments on late Monday night. The patient was suffering from acute pneumonia.

As the news of the patient's death spread, some of his family members gathered outside the hospital and staged a protest demonstration. After being informed, police reached the spot. Immediately, the family members gheraoed the police officers. Senior police officers later brought the situation under control.

The family members of the victim alleged on Tuesday that the patient had died due to the negligence of some doctors and nurses in the hospital. They also demanded a probe into the incident. Had the doctors taken preventive measures, the patient would not have died, alleged the patient's relatives.

According to the police, no one was manhandled in the incident and no property was damaged during the demonstration. Police have not yet received any specific complaint from any side.