New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) The West Bengal government was Friday issued notice by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) over the reported deaths of 17 infants in a state-run hospital in Kolkata in a span of two days.

According to a statement by the commission Friday, 17 infants died within a span of two days at the B.C. Roy, Paediatric Hospital in Kolkata, leading to a protest by the parents who blamed the doctors for the negligence.

‘Taking cognizance of the matter, the commission in its proceedings July 1, 2011 has observed that paediatric care is one of the cardinal requirements of infant health and any negligence of duty by public servants or doctors is detrimental to the Right to Health of the concerned,’ the statement said.

‘The commission has issued a notice to the secretary, department of health, West Bengal government, directing him to conduct a detailed investigation into the matter. He has been asked to submit the report to the commission within two weeks,’ it added.