Kolkata, June 30: The BC Roy Hospital in Kolkata has confirmed that 17 infants have died here in less than two days.
A nine-month-old died at the children’s specialty hospital this morning. Angry relatives reportedly trashed the hospital and attacked doctors who they say were negligent.
The Superintendent of the B C Roy Hospital, D Pal told PTI the babies who had died were either pre-mature or suffering from septicemia or low-birth weight problems. The medical institute is considered to be the largest referral paediatric hospital in the eastern region.
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. I have ordered a probe and asked the authorities to submit a report to me,” Ms Banerjee said.
The medical institute is considered to be the largest referral paediatric hospital in the eastern region.
Earlier in September 2002, there were protests in the same hospital when 14 children died of broncho-pneumonia and gastro-enteritis.