Crib toll touches 23 in four days

Kolkata, Nov 5 (UNI) Two more infants died at B C Roy Memorial Hospital here today bringing the toll to 23 in four days, even as the Opposition parties staged vociferous demonstrations on the issue.

West Bengal Health Minister Suryakanta Mishra said he had ordered an inquiry into the incident that triggered an Opposition outcry against the 'nonchalance' of the Health department.

'An inquiry has been ordered into the deaths. Details will be revealed on Monday,' he said.

While eight infants died on Thursday, nine died on Friday and four yesterday.

The Minister, who described the death as 'unfortunate', however denied that the hospital, exclusively for children, was short of necessary infrastructure.

He said most of the babies who died were ''too ill and weak'' when admitted to the hospital and they could not be saved despite all attempts by the authorities.

'Almost 60 per cent infants here are brought in a very bad condition and in the last stages. Many are underweight and many come with severe infections,' Superintendent M.K.Chatterjee said.

However, alleging that the deaths exposed the ''shockingly inadequate'' health care and infrastructure in the state, the Trinamool Congress, Congress and the SUCI held protest meetings in front of the hospital throughout the day. Demanding the Health Minister's resignation, they also burnt his effigy and put up road blockade.

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, along with Dr Mishra had rushed to the hospital yesterday after 17 infants died in two days and held a meeting with the Superintendent.

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