Thaindian News

Kolkata, Jan 23 (IANS) In the wake of a series of crib deaths in West Bengal recently, Governor M.K. Narayanan Monday said the state needed to improve the facilities at its hospitals.

“I do not think that the government is belittling the issue. I think everyone is deeply concerned. I know the state government is deeply concerned and the chief minister is personally looking after the matter. Deaths are happening and it is unfortunate,” Narayanan told reporters here.

“We need to improve the facilities, but it is not something which can be done overnight,” he said.

The horror of crib deaths in the state is continuing, with official sources saying four to five babies have died in Malda district in the last 24 hours.

The death of seven infants, aged between three hours to three months, was reported at the Malda Medical College and Hospital Jan 18.

“We have a problem on our hand. I am not trying to put the blame on anybody. But certainly, we need to improve the facilities,” the governor said, adding it would be better if the state could achieve the goal quickly.

In the past two months, eight babies have died in the Malda hospital.

Before that, between Oct 25 and 28 last year, 16 babies died at the B.C. Roy Children’s Hospital, the only children’s referral hospital in Kolkata. The Burdwan Medical College and Hospital reported 12 infant deaths Oct 27-28.

Earlier in June, 18 babies had died at the B.C. Roy Children’s Hospital.