Baby skeletons haunt Machhlandapur women

Priyanka Dasgupta, TNN, Nov 29, 2016, KOLKATA: The recent recovery of skeletons of babies in Machhlandapur has left a sociological impact on the lives of women in the locality. Over the years, many of these women used to frequent small-time clinics and nursing homes when they needed to address gynaecological issues. With more and more small-time clinics getting involved in baby trafficking cases, they are now confused about where to go to in case of medical needs during pregnancy.

The day two trenches were dug up on the premises of Sujit Dutta Memorial Welfare Trust at Machhlandapur to unearth skeletons of babies, several women in the area gathered to discuss how they have lost faith in NGOs giving free medical aid. In the evening, the women of the locality had assembled at Mohua Singha Roy's residence near Robin Babur Haat. "We are confused about which clinic to trust in case of medical emergency. This incident has jeopardised the future of those who will conceive in the near future," one of them said. Mohua's eight-year-old son used to take free tuitions from Sujit Dutta Memorial Welfare Trust.

Ishita Mukhopadhyay, director of women's studies research centre of Calcutta University, said the incident was a huge setback for the safe delivery campaigns. "This is just a tip of the iceberg. If I was in their shoes, I too would have been scared to visit these clinics. It makes us think how committed safe motherhood campaigns are," she said.

The worst hit is the section of women who had, after years of counselling, agreed to approach doctors attached to small-time clinics for their delivery or even abortion. "These women were needy and weren't educated enough. After a lot of counselling they agreed to approach small-time nursing homes. Their faith has completely shattered now," she added.

Other women in Mohua's locality agree that this incident has literally reversed the good work done by counsellors working in women and child health sector. Dolly Dey, mother of seven-year-old Sharmistha and four-year-old Subham, is apprehending a dip in the number of women who approach these clinics.

Shashi Panja, minister of state for women and child welfare and social welfare, described this phenomenon as "unfortunate".