Another spate of baby deaths in Maldah in north Bengal has left the parents traumatized and, the official statement of the Health department is that the babies were brought to the hospital in critical condition and some of them were under-weight.
THE HEALTH Ministry of West Bengal is under the direct charge of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and she hates to see fingers of accusation being pointed at her.
The reasons for the latest series of 11 child deaths in 36 hours in Malda, as explained by the administration are under weight babies, babies suffering from malnutrition and the late arrival of the babies in the hospital for treatment.
The blame appears to have been shifted on parents and guardians who do not take proper care of their sick children and approach the hospital at the last moment and expect doctors to perform miracles.
Mamata made plenty or promises when she insisted on handling the portfolio of health ministry herself. She had, initially, embarked on a noble mission of dropping unannounced in hospitals and had taken to task erring staff of the hospitals – she had not even spared the doctors.
Unfortunately, nothing has changed in the past 8 months. The basic problem remains – namely, lack of infrastructure, facilities and doctors and manning the hospitals with proper staff at the working level.
Unless these basics are put in place, child deaths will continue and people would be disappointed with the changed setup in the state. As some have said – the people of West Bengal had put up with the CPM-led left front for 34-years but they might not want to tolerate the present government for even 5-years. That would be really sad and unfortunate.
