New Delhi, 30th May, 2013

The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that eight infants died at the Malda Medical College and Hospital in West Bengal in 24 hours between 21st - 22nd May, 2013. The Commission has observed that the contents of the press report, if true, raise a serious issue of right to health of the infants. Accordingly, notices have been issued to the Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal and the District Magistrate, Malda, calling for reports in the matter within four weeks.

According to the media report, carried on the 24th May, 2013, the same hospital was in news for the death of 36 infants between 9th - 15th January this year. Now, in the wake of some the fresh cases of infants' death have left parents of other babies, admitted in the same hospital, in a state of panic.

Some parents decided for release of their children at their risk from the hospital apprehending that they might not be getting proper treatment. The District Magistrate, Malda has constituted a seven-member inquiry committee under Chief Medical Officer, Health to look into the issue of these deaths.


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