Kolkata, Nov 9 (IANS): The West Bengal government has ordered a probe into a newborn's death due to alleged medical negligence at a hospital here, the health minister said Saturday.

Family members of Satabdi Das, 28, said she was denied a stretcher at the Nil Ratan Sarkar Medical College and Hospital for being taken to the labour room. A pregnant Das, in the throes of labour pain had expressed her inability to walk, but was forced to do so by the staff.

"She delivered a baby in front of the labour room door and the baby fell on the floor and died. Had those on duty taken her on a stretcher, such a thing would not have occurred," Das's sister told reporters here.

Das's kin have filed a written complaint to the medical superintendent of the medical college and hospital.

"There has been an incident and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has ordered an inquiry. The report will have to be submitted within 48 hours," state Health Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya told IANS.

The family members have lodged an official complaint at the Entally police station.