Health task signal in baby death rush - 18 children expire at hospital in 36 hours, CM orders probe

Health task signal in baby death rush - 18 children expire at hospital in 36 hours, CM orders probe http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110701/jsp/frontpage/story_14183828.jsp

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A mother, who brought her baby to BC Roy Hospital for treatment, turns back after hearing of the deaths. Picture by Sanat Kumar Sinha Calcutta, June 30: Eighteen babies aged between two days and 11 months died at Bengal's apex referral hospital for children in 36 hours since Tuesday night, serving Mamata Banerjee a reminder about the gravity of the problems she faces in health care. On an average, five to six children die every day at the 360-bed BC Roy Post-Graduate Institute for Paediatric Sciences, Phoolbagan. The sudden rise in number revived memories of November 2006, when 22 babies died in less than 72 hours, and August-September 2002, when 18 died in three days. Angry relatives and local people blocked a road for over an hour alleging negligence, but hospital authorities denied the charge and the government seemed ready to give them some leeway. The hospital said that 17 of the 18 babies had spent hours travelling to Calcutta after being referred from the districts, where the health-care system is primitive and many mothers are malnourished. "The deaths happened mainly because these babies were referred from district health centres in very critical condition," medical superintendent D.K. Pal said. "Many suffered from septicaemia, congenital heart disease, jaundice, malaria. Most were malnourished and some born prematurely. The weather fluctuation because of rain worsened their condition." A government statement issued tonight claimed the mortality rate at the hospital was "of the same order" as the rest of the state. "(For) critically ill neonates who are kept in the neonatal intensive care unit, the usual death rate is between 15 and 20 per cent of total admission. The death rate at Dr BC Roy Hospital is also of the same order," it said. Logically, this means the jump in death figures was a result of a sharp increase in arrival of critical patients. Hospital officials said this was so but gave no figures. Earlier, on the chief minister's orders, a probe panel of three doctors was formed and asked to hand in a report in 24 hours. "If anyone is found to have been negligent, he won't be spared," Mamata promised. She partly endorsed the hospital's claims, saying the babies were "extremely critical" and had been brought from "far-off places like Bongaon and Jagatballavpur", but added: "Their post-natal care was not proper." The hospital's eight ventilators are far from sufficient, especially "during monsoon and winter when more children need ventilators", a doctor said. It lacks CT scan facilities, for which critically ill children must be ferried to other hospitals. Hannan, father of nine-month-old Aryan Gazi, who came from Sandeshkhali, 100km away, said: "We bought the medicines prescribed by the doctors at 1.30am but they were administered only the next morning. The nurses drove me out of the ward when I requested them to give the medicine to my son." Opposition leader Surjya Kanta Mishra, during whose tenure as health minister the earlier deaths had occurred, accused the new government of playing down the latest deaths. He said the chief minister's decision to keep "so many key departments" (including health) with her was making matters worse. BSP demands high-level probe into children's deaths in West Bengal LUCKNOW: Condoling the deaths of 12 infants in a government hospital in Kolkata, Uttar Pradesh's ruling Bahujan Samaj Party today demanded a high-level inquiry into the incident.  "The party condoles the deaths of 12 children in the hospital in the past 48 hours and we demand a high level probe into it," said a party spokesman.  Taking a dig at the central commissions, he said that it was astonishing that none of the commissions, which make "a lot of hue and cry" in Uttar Pradesh, had so far taken cognisance of the incident.  "The central commissions are not taking cognisance of the deaths as a Congress supported government rules West Bengal," he said, adding that even the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights had refrained from reacting to the incident.  "The central commissions are biased when it comes to Uttar Pradesh and their silence in this matter is proof," he said.  Meanwhile, the West Bengal government has ordered an inquiry into the incident following protests by locals. 21 babies dead in 3 days; no negligence, says Govt NDTV.com - ‎32 minutes ago‎ She said that after the tales of horror she has heard, she won't risk letting this hospital treat herchild. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who also has the Health portfolio had ordered an inquiry into whether the staff at the hospital is ... 17 babies die at govt hospital in Bengal IBNLive.com - ‎22 hours ago‎ Kolkata: Seventeen babies died at BC Roy Pediatric Hospital in Kolkata in the last 36 hours, triggering protests by locals and relatives who alleged negligence by doctors even as the West Bengal government ordered an inquiry. "I admitted my child at 11 ... India investigates baby deaths at hospital in Kolkata Herald Sun - ‎17 hours ago‎ Television news channels showed images of weeping and wailing parents outside the BC Roy Hospital for Childrenin Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal. The hospital head D Pal told Press Trust of India the babies were either premature, suffering from ... 18 kids dead in 48 hrs at BC Roy AsiaOne - ‎10 hours ago‎ KOLKATA (India)- Twenty-four hours before the state could celebrate the 130th birth anniversary of its second chief minister, Dr BC Roy, the premises of a children's hospital in Kolkata named after him witnessed angry protests with 17 child deaths ... 17 children die at India hospital BBC News - ‎19 hours ago‎ The Indian state of West Bengal has ordered an investigation into the deaths of 17 infants reportedly within 36 hours at a Calcutta hospital. It says that it wants to establish whether or not the babies died because of negligence. ... 18 kids die in a Kolkata hospital in just 2 days Deccan Chronicle - Parwez Hafeez - ‎10 hours ago‎ West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee confirmed only 12 deaths till Wednesday night. "I don't have the reports, but till now 12 children have died," she said. Taking serious note of the matter, she has ordered a full investigation. ... 17 infants die in Kolkata hospital in two days Indian Express - ‎12 hours ago‎ The hospital has a history of child deaths, which were followed by violence and inquiry commissions every time. In 2002, there was furore at the hospital over the death of 14 children who died of bronco-pneumonia and gastro-enteritis. ... Baby hospital: cradle of tragedy Times of India - ‎17 hours ago‎ Even as the hospital termed about four deaths a day as normal, the death rate at the Institute of Child health (ICH) another hospital for children in the city run by a trust is much more lower. On an average the 160 bed hospital records just about one ... India probes death of 17 babies at Kolkata hospital AFP - ‎22 hours ago‎ KOLKATA, India — The Indian state of West Bengal has ordered an investigation into the deaths of 17 newborn babies at a children's hospital after distraught parents clashed with police. The infants died over a period of just 36 hours in the state-run ... Death of babies in state hospital: Doctors keeping close watch IBNLive.com - ‎5 hours ago‎ ... apart from the two-member inquiry committee appointed by the West Bengal government which is investigating the deaths of 18 babies in 48 hours.Dr BC Roy Children's Hospital is the largest paediatric referral hospital in the eastern region. ... 12 babies die in Bengal govt hospital, Mamata orders inquiry Indian Express - ‎Jun 30, 2011‎ The West Bengal government has ordered an inquiry into the deaths of 12 babies at at a state-run hospital which triggered violent protests by relatives and local residents. The police rushed to the BC Roy Hospital for Children and dispersed around 300 ... Kolkata babies' death: Probe report says no medical negligence Times of India - ‎19 minutes ago‎ PTI | Jul 1, 2011, 07.23pm IST KOLKATA: There was no medical negligence in the death of 18 babies at the state-run BC Roy Children's Hospital here but the infrastructure was not up to the mark, a probe panel said on Friday. "No medical negligence or ... 17 Infants Die in 48 Hours at Indian Hospital Newser - ‎19 hours ago‎ TV news showed images of wailing parents outside the Kolkata facility, in the capital of West Bengal. In 2006, 22 infants died in three days at the same hospital. Relatives and parents gather outside the BC Roy Hospital forChildren in Kolkata, India, ... Mamata Banerjee: 12 Babies Have Died in Two Days at Government-Run Hospital ThirdAge - Roberta Seldon - ‎1 hour ago‎ Mamata Banerjee, chief minister of West Bengal, told Deccan Chronicle Wednesday night: "I don't have the reports, but till now 12 children have died." "I have asked for a report within 24 hours. If anyone is found guilty of negligence, he will not be ... Mamata blames parents for children death NewsX - ‎7 hours ago‎ 17 infants die in 36 hours in a govt-run pediatric hospital in Kolkata. Defiant Mamata Banerjee says the parents should have got their kids to the hospital earlier. A callous healthcare system Livemint - ‎21 hours ago‎ There are plans to increase this to 2-3% of GDP On Thursday, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee ordered an inquiry into the death of 12 infants at a hospital in Kolkata. The babies had died due to complications associated with low-weight or ... Mamata government to monitor agricultural commodity prices Economic Times - ‎Jun 30, 2011‎ As a part of this move the West Bengal Agricultural Marketing department is planning to set up a market monitoring committee, which will track prices of agricultural commodities, particularly potato and onion. The government feels that consumers should ... Posted On Friday, July 01, 2011 at 03:04:45 AM Ahmedabad Mirror - ‎16 hours ago‎ In Kolkata: Eighteen children have died in West Bengal's largest government-run children's hospital in the past 48 hours. While families of the dead have blamed BC Roy Hospital for Children in Kolkata for medical negligence, the authorities say the ... Health task signal in baby death rush Calcutta Telegraph - ‎15 hours ago‎ Calcutta, June 30: Eighteen babies aged between two days and 11 months died at Bengal's apex referral hospital for children in 36 hours since Tuesday night, serving Mamata Banerjee a reminder about the gravity of the problems she faces in health care. ... India: 17 Infants Die in State Hospital New York Times - ‎12 hours ago‎ D. Pal, the head of the BC Roy Hospital for Children in Kolkata, denied any negligence by the hospital. He told the Press Trust of India that the babies were either premature, suffering from septicemia or had low-birth-weight problems. ... Kolkata: 21 babies die in 3 days, no answers NDTV.com - ‎5 hours ago‎ The medical institute is considered to be the largest referral paediatric hospital in the eastern region. Earlier in September 2004, there were protests in the same hospital when 14 children died of broncho-pneumonia and gastro-enteritis, ... WB Ranks Fourth in Infant Mortality Rate: Mamata Outlook - ‎22 hours ago‎ "IMR is 33 in West Bengal annually and the state ranks fourth after Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala," Banerjee, who also holds the health portfolio, told reporters. She said that 40000 children on an average died in West Bengal annually. ... Mamata accuses Left regime of neglecting medical infrastructure TwoCircles.net - ‎22 hours ago‎ By IANS, Kolkata: Facing a public outcry over the death of 18 children in the state-run BC Roy Children's Hospital here, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday hit back at the erstwhile Left Front government and said the state lacked a ... 18 babies dead at Kolkata hospital in 36 hours NDTV.com - ‎9 hours ago‎ A shocking case of 18 infant deaths has come to light from Kolkata's BC Roy Hospital. And that too, in less than two days. The tragedy at BC Roy Hospital may have gone unnoticed but for the death of nine-month-old Aryan Gazi this morning. ... 18 infants die in hospital in two days Hindustan Times - ‎18 hours ago‎ The BC Ray Memorial Hospital for Children, a state-run referral hospital, where the deaths happened was in the news in 2002 as well when 22 infants died in a span of 72 hours. "No doctor or nurse was seen in the general ward where our babies were ... Govt hospitals dens of vested interests: Mamata Indian Express - ‎15 hours ago‎ Expressing concern over the deaths of 17 babies in a state-run hospital, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday regretted that government hospitals badly lacked infrastructure and had turned into "dens of vested interests". Banerjee, who also looks ... After Singur fiasco, babies' death leaves chief minister red faced Business Standard - ‎22 hours ago‎ Days after chief minister Mamata Banerjee did the rounds of state run-hospitals, 12 babies succumbed to death in a span of 24 hours at the government run BC Roy Hospital for Children in Kolkata, prompting public incitement and jolting the state ... More beds & seats in health upgrade Calcutta Telegraph - ‎15 hours ago‎ More hospitals are required for children. A plan is being worked out," the chief minister said. She said the government was "keen to set up block-level diagnostic centres". "I have requested the Prime Minister and the Planning Commission deputy ... Infant toll rises to 21 in Kolkata hospital indiablooms - ‎4 hours ago‎ Angry parents and families of the babies had on Thursday blocked road even as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee promised a thorough probe. She has asked for a report from the health secretary within 24 hours. "I have set up a committee. ... Kolkata: 12 kids die, families blame hospital IBNLive.com - ‎Jun 30, 2011‎ Kolkata: Angry relatives ransacked the state-run BC Roy Children's Hospital for children and put up a road block in the Phoolbagan area of north Kolkata on Thursday morning after children admitted to the hospital died since Wednesday night. ... Protest over childrens' deaths in WB government hospital Hindustan Times - ‎Jun 30, 2011‎ PTI Around 250 to 300 agitators gathered in front of the gates of a state-run paediatric hospital in Kolkata on Thursday to protest over the death of three children, police said. The children died on Wednesday night in the BC Roy Hospital for Children, ... Kolkata: 17 infants die due to hospital's negligence NewsX - ‎Jun 30, 2011‎ 17 children have died in the past two days in Kolkata's BC Roy hospital, with 12 of the deaths coming in just the last 24 hours. Angry residents ransacked the hospital after the latest death this morning. Reports say the childrenwere brought to the ... Infant deaths rise at India hospital UPI.com - ‎10 hours ago‎ Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal state, whose government said the mortality rate at the hospital is the same as in other hospitals in the state. The government, however, ordered an investigation by a panel of three doctors. ... Protest over childrens'' deaths IBNLive.com - ‎Jun 30, 2011‎ PTI | 12:06 PM,Jun 30,2011 Kolkata, June 30 (PTI) Nearly 250 to 300 angry demonstrators gathered in front of the gates of the BC Roy Hospital for Children in the eastern part of the city to protest over the death of three childrenthis morning. ... Kolkata: 18 infants die in 48 hours indiablooms - ‎20 hours ago‎ The figure was released by newly-elected West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's office on Thursday. According to media reports the startling tragedy could have gone unnoticed had it not been for the death of nine-month-old Aryan Gazi on Thursday ... Defining paribartan Himal Southasian - Sumon K Chakrabarti - ‎Jun 30, 2011‎ Before taking the oath of office at this designated auspicious time, she walked up to Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, whom she was about to replace as chief minister, as well as the other top leaders of the Left Front that had ruled West Bengal for 34 long ... 18 children die at govt hospital in Kolkata; probe ordered Chandigarh Tribune - ‎17 hours ago‎ The death of 18 children, including some newborns, at the state-run Dr BC Roy Government Hospital for Children, Fulbagan, in east Kolkata today triggered protests by residents, prompting the state government to order an inquiry into the incident. ... 18 Infants Die in 36 Hours at Kolkata Hospital Daijiworld.com - ‎9 hours ago‎ There were protests against the same hospital earlier in September 2004 when 14 children died of broncho-pneumonia and gastro-enteritis. Among them, four children died because there were no oxygen cylinders. Ironically, the medical institute is ... 18 babies die in Kolkata govt hospital in 48 hrs, Mamata Banerjee orders probe Times of India - ‎16 hours ago‎ PTI | Jun 30, 2011, 09.14pm IST KOLKATA: Eighteen babies died at a premier state-run children hospital here, triggering protests by locals and relatives who alleged negligence by doctors even as the West Bengal government ordered an inquiry. ... Death of 19 children in Kolkata hospital triggers protest The Hindu - ‎19 hours ago‎ PTI Relatives mourn the death of children at the Dr. BC Roy Postgraduate Institute of Paediatric Science in Kolkata on Thursday. The death of 19 children, most of them infants, within a period of 48 hours in the State-run Dr. BC Roy Postgraduate ... Kolkata tense over baby deaths Deccan Herald - ‎18 hours ago‎ According to unconfirmed reports, at least 17 babies died of various causes at BC Roy Hospital forChildren in the last 48 hours. Relatives of the victims and locals alleged negligence on the part of the hospital staff and barged into the main building ... 17 infants die in 48 hrs in Kolkata hospital, govt orders inquiry NetIndian - ‎21 hours ago‎ As many as 17 infants died at the BC Roy Hospital for Children in east Kolkata in the past 48 hours, triggering a violent protest by angry relatives and prompting the state government to order an inquiry into the matter. "Altogether 17 children have ... 17 Infants In Two Days Die In New Delhi India Hospital Technorati - ‎19 hours ago‎ D. Pal Director of BC Roy Hospital for Children in Kolkata has staunchly denied any culpability on the hospitals part citing septicemia, premature birth, and low birth weight as the main factors. India's populations as of 2010 is 1.5 billion, ... Protests after 17 babies die at Kolkata hospital Monsters and Critics.com - ‎Jun 30, 2011‎ Mamata Bannerjee, chief minister of the West Bengal state promised an investigation. 'I have set up a committee to inquire into the unusual deaths. I will take stern action,' she said. The medical institute is considered to be the largest referral ... WB CM orders probe into babies death Hindustan Times - ‎Jun 30, 2011‎ PTI Twelve babies died at a state-run hospital in Kolkata, triggering protests by locals and relatives, which prompted the West Bengal government to order an enquiry into it. Superintendent of BC Roy Hospital for Children, D Pal said that most of the ... 12 babies die at govt hospital, WB CM orders probe IBNLive.com - ‎Jun 30, 2011‎ ... which prompted the West Bengal government to order an enquiry into it. Superintendent of BC Roy Hospital forChildren, D Pal told PTI that most of the 12 babies were either pre-mature or suffering from septicemia or low-birth weight problems. ... Fury over infant deaths in Kolkata Times Now - ‎Jun 30, 2011‎ Until earlier this morning the toll was at 12. The children were admitted to the emergency ward seperately over the last week for various diseases and were said to be critical. The Medical superintendant of the hospital confirmed the deaths this afternoon. Five babies die in govt hospital, Mamata Banerjee orders inquiry Deccan Chronicle - ‎Jun 30, 2011‎ PTI Five babies have died at a state-run government hospital triggering protests by locals and relatives, which prompted the West Bengal government to order an inquiry into it. Police rushed to the BC Roy Hospital forChildren and dispersed around 300 ... 18 children die in Kolkata hospital, Mamata orders probe iNewsOne - ‎Jun 30, 2011‎ Kolkata, June 30 (IANS) At least 18 children have died of various causes in a state-run hospital in Kolkata since Wednesday, a hospital official said Thursday. Relatives of the dead children have alleged negligence on the part of doctors. ... 17 babies dead at one hospital in 36 hours Mangalorean.com - ‎Jun 30, 2011‎ Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is also the Health Minister of West Bengal. She has ordered an enquiry. "I have come to know that the babies were brought to the hospital at the last stage and that the cause of death was not enteric disease. ... Fury over infant deaths in Kolkata Times Now.tv - ‎Jun 30, 2011‎ The children were admitted to the emergency ward seperately over the last week for various diseases and were said to be critical. The Medical superintendant of the hospital confirmed the deaths this afternoon. Relatives of the deceased ransaked the ... Protest over childrens' deaths Deccan Chronicle - ‎Jun 29, 2011‎ PTI Nearly 250 to 300 angry demonstrators gathered in front of the gates of the BC Roy Hospital for Children in the eastern part of the city to protest over the death of three children this morning. The police said that the threechildren died last ...