Infant Deaths Plague MP Hospital: Probe Demanded

At least 80 infants have died at the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of the district hospital in Seoni, Madhya Pradesh, over a six-month period. The significant number of mortalities has prompted the local BJP MLA to demand an investigation. Hospital authorities stated that the deaths were primarily due to premature births, low birth weight, and complications among critically ill newborns referred from rural areas.

Civil Surgeon Dr. Vinod Kumar Navkar explained that many infants admitted weighed significantly less than the normal 2.5 kg, and the mortality rate for such premature and low-weight babies can be as high as 48 percent, citing WHO and Government of India data. Between April and September, hospital officials reported approximately 34 deaths in the first quarter and 46 deaths in the subsequent quarter, totaling 80. The hospital maintains its neonatal mortality rate is below the 7.5 percent benchmark.

However, families have come forward with allegations of inadequate and delayed treatment for their newborns. The local MLA, Dinesh Rai Munmun, conducted a surprise inspection after receiving complaints about doctor unavailability at night and a high number of infant deaths. He alleged that doctors were absent during his visit, and nurses lacked the training for critical equipment like ventilators, raising concerns about negligence and potential criminal action against those responsible.