Malda crib deaths: What is the state health department doing?

After blaming everything from low birth weight of the babies to the increased inflow of patients at the district hospital in Malda, the WB state government finally seems to be taking some steps to improve the situation. A new pediatric unit with required infrastructure and instruments is to be started. A task force sent by the health department is supposed to hold meetings at the Malda hospital today. The Govt is set to spend around Rs 16 crore to add 6000 sq ft unit to the hospital to take care of the new-born. 33 more neonatal warmers are expected to be added. 25% more manpower is also to be added. The hospital officials claim that the rate of deaths has actually dropped compared to last year. The issue, according to them, is

After blaming everything from low birth weight of the babies to the increased inflow of patients at the district hospital in Malda, the WB state government finally seems to be taking some steps to improve the situation.

A new pediatric unit with required infrastructure and instruments is to be started. A task force sent by the health department is supposed to hold meetings at the Malda hospital today. The Govt is set to spend around Rs 16 crore to add 6000 sq ft unit to the hospital to take care of the new-born. 33 more neonatal warmers are expected to be added. 25% more manpower is also to be added.

The hospital officials claim that the rate of deaths has actually dropped compared to last year. The issue, according to them, is that the number of admissions have almost doubled. People are now pouring in from neighbouring areas of Balarghat and Bangladesh and the hospital is clearly not equipped to handle the load.

India.com health view

While a lot of steps are being taken to improve the infrastructure and manpower in the hospital, we are of the opinion that educating the people in the smaller towns and rural areas about the importance of nourishing food and regular prenatal visits during pregnancy is of prime importance.