Tension at Malda Medical College after newborn dies

Tension ran high at Malda Medical College and Hospital on Tuesday morning following the death of a newborn boy whose family members staged a demonstration levelling charges of negligence against the hospital authorities.

The hospital authorities have ordered a probe into the death of the baby. The family members of the victim boy demanded strong action against those who will be found guilty in this incident.

Apurba Saha, a resident of English Bazar area in Malda, got her wife Jharna admitted to Malda Medical College and Hospital on June 24 after she complained of labour pain. Later, on the same day, the woman gave birth to a boy child. Some of the staff members of the hospital on Monday night told the family members of the victim that the baby's condition was serious.

The family members of the victim alleged that they tried to contact a doctor of the hospital on several occasions from Monday night till early Tuesday morning.

They also alleged there was no doctor to attend the baby as his condition deteriorated. Later in the morning, the family members were told that the baby had died and this had led to a tension in the hospital.

The family members of the victim and neighbours started pouring into the hospital after they came to know about the incident. They started protesting in front of the administrative building of the hospital alleging negligence in the baby's treatment.

They also demanded stern action against those who were responsible for the death of the baby. Some of the staff members tried to pacify mob but failed to convince the agitators. The incident also triggered tension among the other patients in the hospital.

After hearing about the incident, police too reached the spot. The demonstration was, however, lifted after the hospital authorities assured the baby's family members that action will be taken against those who will be found guilty. They have also ordered a probe on the basis of the complaint lodged by the victim's family members.