NHRC seeks comment from WB Govt on death of 17 infants

New Delhi, Nov 15 (UNI) Taking suo moto cognizance of a media report about the death of 17 infants within 48 hours in a north Kolkata hospital, the National Human Rights Commission has sought comments from the West Bengal Government on the issue within four weeks .

The Commission has also directed that a copy of the newspaper report be sent to the West Bengal Chief Secretary for the comments.

''The deaths have raised serious doubts about the implementation of the measures reportedly undertaken... the deaths are a grim reminder of the hospital record of a similar tragedy in the past,'' the Commission observed.

The report said a section of the doctors at the B C Roy Children Hospital tried to pass off the deaths as a mere co-incidence.

According to the report, an inquiry showed that the spurt in such deaths was related to the sudden increase in admission of Babies, suffering from varied critical ailments, in the hospital.

''The situation was compounded due to lack of infrastructure and proper care,'' added.

The report quoted the Medical Superintendent of the Hospital as saying that the deaths occurred in the neo-natal ward.

''Most of the babies were new born and under weight and died due to Septicemia,'' the MS had said.

The report also refers to complaints by relatives about refusal of admission and denial of care as well as lack of facilities and equipment in the hospital, even though the hospital is the State's only pediatrics referral center.

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