How Did Rodents Bite Newborns in MP Hospital?

Indore, Sept 2 (NationPress) In a disturbing incident, rodents attacked two newborns in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of M. Y. Hospital located in Madhya Pradesh, resulting in the tragic death of one baby girl. This incident has highlighted severe negligence within the government-operated healthcare system in the state.

A senior physician at M. Y. Hospital informed IANS that the condition of the deceased newborn had already worsened before her passing on Tuesday. However, hospital personnel asserted that the child's delicate health was the cause of her demise.

The newborns, who were delivered last week, had been placed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Maharaja Yashwantrao Chikitsalaya (MYH), one of the largest public hospitals in the state.

The shocking event came to public attention when the nursing staff discovered the injured infants and alerted hospital management. The administration subsequently reviewed CCTV footage and observed rats in the vicinity of the newborns.

In response, a committee of six doctors has been formed to investigate the incident, with a report expected within a week, as stated by the state's Health and Family Department.

Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, who oversees the Health Department, confirmed that an inquiry has been initiated.

In the meantime, two nurses, Akanksha Benzamin and Shweta Chouhan, have been suspended immediately.

Ironically, the Health Department claimed that pest control measures at M. Y. Hospital are performed regularly, every 15 days. Yet, Dean Arvind Ghanghoria of MGM (Mahatma Gandhi Memorial) Hospital revealed that a fine of Rs 1 lakh was imposed on the pest control agency, contradicting the department's assertions.

The incident has ignited a political controversy, with the opposition Congress party criticizing the BJP government for neglecting public healthcare and demanding a thorough investigation. Congress MLA Umang Singhar stated, "Even newborns are not safe in MP's biggest hospital. This incident reflects the collapse of public health infrastructure under this government."

A senior doctor mentioned to IANS that the issue of rodents in hospitals is not new.

This is not the first occurrence of rodent problems in Madhya Pradesh's government hospitals. In 2023, various mortuaries across the state reported rodent attacks on human remains. For example, in June, the ear of a deceased 50-year-old man was found nibbled at Bhopal's Hamidia Hospital. In May, a 70-year-old accident victim's body at Vidisha District Hospital had its nose and hand gnawed. In January, rats chewed on the eyes of two bodies stored at Sagar District Hospital.