A government-run hospital in Calcutta is facing accusations of negligence following the deaths of 30 babies in the past four days. Parents claim that staff failed to administer correct medication and mismanaged care at the BC Roy Post-Graduate Institute of Paediatric Sciences.
The hospital, however, denies any wrongdoing, stating that it did everything possible to save the infants. Officials attribute the high number of deaths to a sudden increase in admissions of critically ill babies. Dr Tridib Banerjee, chairman of the Health Department's special task force, noted that as a referral hospital, many patients arrive in a severe condition.
"Doctors always try their best but sometimes patients cannot be saved as their condition is very bad," Dr Banerjee told NDTV. "There is not a single case of negligence." The facility, which provides free healthcare to poor families, is the largest paediatric centre in eastern India.
This is not the first time the hospital has faced such allegations. In 2011, it was cleared of negligence after 18 babies died in two days. Following that inquiry, a new neo-natal unit was installed. Critics argue that further investment is needed to ensure all sick children receive optimal care.
