Kolkata, Nov 2 (IANS) Under fire for a series of crib deaths in government hospitals in the state, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday said the previous Left Front regime was to blame for the scenario as it had neglected the healthcare sector.
‘Any death is regrettable. We don’t want any death. But if you look at national statistical figures, West Bengal comes fourth after Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala in terms of child mortality rate,’ Banerjee said while addressing a special session of the Trinamool Congress here.
‘If 50 babies would have died in 50 hospitals, then so much of ruckus would not have been made. But as many babies have died in the same hospital, there is so much uproar. But what can we do? In the last 34 years, the Left Front has built only one children’s hospital. That’s why there is so much pressure on a single hospital,’ said the chief minister, who also holds the health portfolio.
Between Oct 25 and 28, 16 babies have died at the B.C. Roy Children’s Hospital – the only children’s referral hospital in Kolkata. The Burdwan Medical College and Hospital had 12 infant deaths between Oct 27 and 28.
Earlier in June, 18 babies had died at the B.C. Roy Children’s Hospital.
‘I have heard that most of the babies who died were underweight and suffered from malnutrition. We are trying to improve the rural heath system of the state. After assuming power, we have already sanctioned Rs.1,200 crore for upgrading rural health system of the state,’ said Banerjee.
Banerjee also slammed the previous government for not creating proper rural healthcare infrastructure.
