21 newborn deaths reported at Thane's Kalwa Hospital in June, Probe ordered

Thane: The government-run Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital, Kalwa in Thane district has once again come under the spotlight due to the controversy surrounding the shocking number of deaths of newborns. It has been reported that 21 newborns passed away in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in June of this year. 

The exact number of confirmed newborn deaths was provided by the Hospital dean, Dr Rakesh Barot to Free Press Journal. According to the dean, among the 21 newborns, some were referred to this hospital in critical condition from a private hospital and therefore he claimed that the numbers were not alarming. 

Child Specialist Dr Jayesh Panot told ANI, "15 babies were born in the hospital here and 6 were referred here. When we analyse the causes of the deaths, we find low birth weight and pre-term delivery as the two main reasons."

Also read- 18 Patients Die At Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital In 24 Hours, Probe Ordered

According to the data shared by the hospital authorities reported by ABP, In January 2024, 17 newborns passed away, followed by 10 in February, 22 in March, 24 in April, 16 in May, and 21 in June of the same year, totalling 89 infant deaths. The hospital reported that out of the 512 deliveries in June, 90 newborns were in critical condition, with 21 of them could not survive. 

Additionally, 19 babies were born underweight, 15 were premature, and 6 were delivered outside the hospital. Unfortunately, three of the babies born outside the hospital died before they could be admitted. Furthermore, 13 newborns weighed less than 1.5 kg, with 3 of them weighing less than 1 kg. The hospital mentioned that some of these infants passed away within 48 hours of birth, as per the daily report. 

Meanwhile, TOI reports that the hospital recorded 110 infant deaths in the last six months between Jan and June this year. However, the number of infant deaths in July is presently unavailable. 

When contacted, the Head of the paediatric department Dr Jayesh Panot told FPJ, “Most of the children concerned were the ones who did not receive treatment in the golden minute, which is the minute just after birth. By the time the kids are admitted to our hospital, precious time has already been lost and there is little that can be done medically to save them.”

Medical Dialogues team in August 2023 reported the deaths of 18 patients in the last 24 hours and two doctors were suspended for dereliction of duty.

After that, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited the hospital and instructed the hospital authorities to provide facilities in the hospital. However, the relatives of the patients are still complaining about the lack of facilities in the hospital.

This issue was raised in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Friday after it gained the attention of the Congress MLA Amin Patel. Based on the report presented at the assembly by Patel, State Minister Uday Samant assured that an inquiry would be made and a statement would be made in the House within two days.

In a post on X, Patel asked, “Who is responsible for these deaths? Government? The administration? Hospital? Doctors say newborn babies couldn't get essential medicines immediately after birth, causing their death. The health minister of the state should take immediate action against this and take steps to prevent such incidents.”

Also read- Thane Hospital Deaths Case: 2 Doctors Suspended For Dereliction Of Duty