NGTV ENGLISH
10 Newborn Deaths in 24 Hours at Malda Medical College; Health Department Seeks Detailed Report
Malda, West Bengal | August 28, 2026: The West Bengal Health Department has sought a detailed report from Malda Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) following the deaths of 10 newborns within a 24-hour period on August 12, raising concerns over neonatal care and the referral system in the region.
According to state health sources, around 60 newborn deaths were recorded at the hospital during the first three weeks of August. Hospital authorities, however, have clarified that a significant number of the infants had been referred from other healthcare facilities in critical condition.
MMCH Superintendent Dr. Prasenjit Bar said that of the 10 infants who died on August 12, only two were born at Malda Medical College and Hospital. The remaining eight had reportedly been transferred from other government hospitals and private nursing homes after developing serious complications.
The hospital further stated that, out of the approximately 60 neonatal deaths recorded during the first three weeks of August, 44 babies had been referred from outside facilities.
Hospital authorities attributed the deaths to severe neonatal complications, including respiratory distress, neonatal jaundice, birth asphyxia and congenital heart disease.
Following the deaths, Swasthya Bhavan, the headquarters of West Bengal’s Health Department, has sought individual case details to assess the circumstances surrounding each death.
The department is also examining the functioning of peripheral referral hospitals and local nursing homes, with particular focus on the quality of pre-natal care, early identification of complications and whether critically ill newborns were transferred to higher-level facilities in time.
The review is expected to help determine whether gaps in pre-natal care, neonatal management or the referral process contributed to the deaths.
NGTV ENGLISH will continue to track developments as the Health Department’s review progresses.
