People's Democracy

AIDWA Shocked over Bengal Child Deaths

THROUGH a statement issued from New Delhi on January 23, the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) has expressed deep concern over the spate of child deaths occurring in several government hospitals across four districts West Bengal in recent weeks, and in particular the recent alarming deaths of 24 children in the Maldah Government Hospital. The AIDWA felt particularly shocked and perturbed over the irresponsible and baseless comment made by Ms Chandrima Bhattacharya, the west Bengal minister of state for health, that this incident is the outcome of a conspiracy to defame the TMC led government. In making her comment, the minister did address the basic problems underlying these tragic deaths.

The AIDWA has demanded that the state government must stop making such attempts to deflect attention from a serious denial of health facilities to the poor sections. Instead, urgent action must be taken to prevent further child deaths. The association said a slew of policy measures are required to be undertaken to address the problems of malnutrition, lack of adequate health facilities in the public health system, and other related problems.