While hospital authorities claimed that both newborns died due to pre-existing medical conditions, families and civil society groups have alleged gross negligence.
The second newborn had been admitted with multiple congenital deformities and weighed just 1.6 kg at birth. Hospital authorities say she had undergone surgery for intestinal issues but later developed a serious blood infection that ultimately led to her death. This comes just two days after another newborn in the same neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) reportedly died after suffering injuries believed to be caused by a rat.
Medical Dialogues recently reported that in a shocking incident of alleged medical negligence at Maharaja Yashwantrao Hospital (MYH) in Indore, two newborns were bitten by rats inside the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). One of the newborns, bitten over the weekend, passed away on Tuesday. However, hospital authorities stated that the cause of death was her critical medical condition, not the rat bite.
Also Read: Newborn dies 2 days after rat bite at Indore Hospital, 2 nurses suspended
According to hospital officials, the reported rat bite resulted only in “minor scratches” on two fingers and was not a contributing factor in the fatality. The newborn's family declined to authorise a post-mortem, and the body was released without an autopsy.
MYH Superintendent Dr. Ashok Yadav insisted that “no human being dies due to rat bites”, attributing both fatalities to pre-existing conditions, reports India TV.
In response to the twin tragedies, the hospital has taken disciplinary action. Two nursing officers, a nursing superintendent, and other staff members in charge of the ward have been suspended. A private contractor responsible for pest control, cleanliness, and security has been fined ₹1 lakh. The contractor’s ₹1.5 crore monthly agreement is now under review, pending a third-party hygiene audit.
A show-cause notice was also issued to the head of the pediatric surgery department.
Also Read: Sassoon Hospital Rat bite Case: Medical Superintendent removed, 3 others issued show cause notice
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said he had directed the state health department and Indore district officials to take strict action, warning that the government would not tolerate negligence in healthcare services. District Magistrate Ashish Singh visited the 75-year-old hospital and announced a third-party audit to assess hygiene and pest control measures, reports India TV News.
According to India TV, Civil society groups have also stepped in, with NGO Jan Swasthya Abhiyan writing to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) demanding an independent probe. Activist Amulya Nidhi alleged that “gross negligence” in maintaining hygiene at the neonatal ICU led to the rat incidents, endangering vulnerable infants.
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