Indore, Madhya Pradesh – Two newborns lost their lives within two days after being bitten by rats in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Maharaja Yeshwantrao (MY) Hospital, the largest government-run facility in Madhya Pradesh. The incidents, occurring on the night between Sunday and Monday, have left families devastated and sparked outrage over the state of public healthcare.
The infants, admitted with congenital health issues, suffered rat bites on their fingers while under intensive care. The first baby, a girl from Khandwa, weighed just 1 kg and was battling congenital anemia and low hemoglobin. She succumbed on Tuesday morning. The second, a 15-day-old girl from Dewas, born underweight with hand deformities and congenital anemia, died around 1 pm on Wednesday despite recent surgery and ventilator support. Both families, who had arrived with hopes of saving their newborns, now face profound grief.
Dr. Jitendra Verma, deputy superintendent of MY Hospital, confirmed the details, stating, “The rat has bitten the fingertips of the left hand. There was a small abrasion on the index finger and one other finger. It was not a complete bite, just an abrasion.” He clarified, “The health condition of the second child was critical, and the child was also suffering from septicemia. Being critical, the condition of the baby deteriorated and she died this afternoon around 1 pm.” Doctors emphasized that the deaths resulted from pre-existing conditions like septicemia and congenital anemia, not directly from the bites.
The hospital, housed in an aging building surrounded by old structures, has long battled rodent infestations. Medical Superintendent Dr. Ashok Yadav admitted, “This incident has come to my notice. Two newborns were bitten on their fingers. The staff should have been alert to the rat issue.” He added, “We will take measures to address the rat menace in the hospital. This is an old hospital, and we have run two rat eradication programmes in the past.”
Heavy monsoon rains have worsened the problem, driving rats indoors, while a shortage of rat-trapping glue has hindered pest control efforts. Yadav noted, “Rat catchers have also been unable to address the issue. There is a shortage in the local markets of the glue used to trap rats.” The infestation extends beyond the NICU, with rodents reported in affiliated wards such as the Nehru Children’s Hospital, Cancer Hospital, and TB Center, partly due to open food packets left by patient attendants.
In response, hospital authorities intensified pest control efforts. Dr. Verma stated, “Pest control activity is taking place daily. A special meeting of nursing officers and staff was also held, instructing them to immediately inform the pest control agency if any rat-related issue is reported.”
Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla announced immediate measures, saying, “A fine of one lakh has been imposed on the pest control agency, and a notice of termination has been issued. The nursing superintendent has been removed, two nursing officers have been suspended, and a show-cause notice has been given to the HOD of the paediatrics department.”
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, addressing reporters, declared, “Our government will not tolerate any negligence. I have issued instructions to the Collector and have also told the PS of the Health Department. I have also asked the Health Minister to take action on this.” A high-level committee has been formed to investigate the lapses.
(Rh/Eth/VK/MSM)
