From the beginning of August till August 29, 89 children have died in Malda Medical College and Hospital. On the instructions of the State Health Department, the expert committee that came to inspect the hospital on Saturday has cited several reasons behind the death of children, in which malnutrition has been considered the main reason.

To prevent child deaths, emphasis is also being laid on developing infrastructure in government medical colleges. As per the instructions of Swasthya Bhawan, the expert committee reached Malda Medical College on Saturday morning and took stock of the situation in the hospital. The committee members also interacted with the doctors.

After the inspection, Chairman of the Committee and Additional Director of the State Health Department, Pralay Acharya told in the press conference that a total of 89 children have died so far in the month of August.

He said that there are many different reasons behind these deaths, but the expert committee is mainly blaming malnutrition problems.

He stressed the need to pay special attention to the health of pregnant women. Apart from this, many children were suffering from problems like breathing problems, heart disease, jaundice and underweight soon after birth.

He said that it is important to make pregnant women and their families aware of these health risks.

The expert committee has also termed the lack of coordination between various departments of the district health department as a problem. According to the committee, some other shortcomings in the health system have also come to light, steps are being taken to remove them soon.

Pralay Acharya said, “There has been a discussion on where and what kind of arrangements can be made to avoid the risk. More steps will be taken within the next 48 hours. Many arrangements will also be made by the hospital.”

Experts have also expressed the possibility of further action on the allegations emerging regarding the alleged cycle of illegal abortions.

It is noteworthy that in the month of August, there was widespread discussion and concern over the death of 10 children and a total of 60 newborns in a single day in Malda Medical College. After this the state government constituted an expert committee to investigate the matter.

The medical college management had claimed that out of 10 newborns who died in a day, eight were born in other hospitals or private nursing homes in the district.

He was brought to Malda Medical College for treatment in critical condition. On the same day when these eight newborns died, two children born in Malda Medical College also died.

The campaign was also launched in many private nursing homes of Malda after the death of a large number of newborns. The Health Department had sought a detailed report of the case from Malda Medical College.

After this, on the instructions of the Health Department, the members of the expert committee reached the Medical College on Saturday and examined the hospital arrangements and various aspects to the death of children.