Kolkata:
A 23-day old infant died at a Kolkata hospital, even before she could be named, allegedly because her oxygen mask was removed by a drunk worker at the hospital.
The Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, which is run by the government, has accepted a complaint by the baby's family and has begun an inquiry.
The baby's grandmother, Suchitra Das, says that on Saturday night, she entered the paediatric ward and found a sweeper there who told her that the baby's mask had been taken away because "too much oxygen is not good for a baby."
"The man had a broom in his hands and was stinking of liquor. He decreased the oxygen supply. I asked him why did you do that, the doctor has just fixed it. He said do you think you know more than me?" said Mrs Das.
The infant's family says the sweeper was drunk and had returned to the hospital after attending a wedding.
The infant's neighbours and relatives demonstrated outside the hospital. But the family claims it was discouraged by the police from filing a complaint. "First of all they kill her, then they said they will cut her up. We could not accept it," said Suresh Das, the father.
The Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, located near College Street in north Kolkata, is a government-run hospital.