15 newborns die in JMCH in 6 days

A shocking 15 newborns dies in just 6 days in Jorhat Medical College Hospital (JMCH) forcing the authorities to conduct a full scale inquiry on it terming it as a very serious matter.

JMCH Deputy Superintendent Dr Nilotpal Bhattacharjee told media this evening that altogether 84 newborn babies were admitted to the Special Care Newborn Unit during November 1 to November 6, out of which 15 newborns died due to various ailments.

He said that in view of the deaths of the babies, the JMCH Superintendent Prof Saurabh Borkotoky has ordered an inquiry to "thoroughly examine" the causes of death and suggest remedial measures.

Dr Bhattacharjee said that the Superintendent has constituted a six-member committee to be headed by Prof P Biswanath, Head of the Department of Paediatrics, JMCH, to conduct the inquiry. The committee has been asked to submit its report within seven days.
The doctor suspected contamination at certain level or some professional negligence for these deaths. But this has caused great scare amongst the mothers and probable mothers who are treating themselves at Jorhat Mecial Collehe Hospital (JMCH) and most of them are sen taking alternative arrangement as a precaution.