Crib deaths are back in West Bengal hospitals. Atleast 13 babies have died in the past 48 hours at Malda Medical College and Hospital, taking the toll to 23 since Saturday. Senior officials of the state health department, however, put the toll to 22. They said that six new-borns died between Saturday and Sunday. Since Sunday night, three more babies died while on Monday and Tuesday, a total of around 13 babies died. Most of them were between 0 to 1 month old. Hospital authorities said that most of the babies died due to low birth weight and asphyxia (breathing trouble).
They further added that eight babies were brought from the neighbouring areas of Bihar and Jharkhand and six of them died before admission. Senior health officials added that the patient load at the hospital had increased considerably, but infrastructure improvement had not taken place. The neonatal ward had not been revamped although a proposal was made by the state health department a month back. The sick new born care unit (SNCU) is already filled up and because of lack of space, many babies are being kept on the floor. Even there is dearth of adequate number of Ryles’ tubes and radiant warmers which has aggravated the situation.
After Malda district hospital was converted into a medical college, it has been found that most of the people come here for their babies’ treatment instead of going to sub-divisional hospitals like Chanchol and Kaliachak and Sinampur sub-centre due to lack of proper critical care facilities there.
Officials added that unless primary and secondary level health care units are revamped crib deaths will continue.