Newborn Baby’s Death After Rat Bites in Indore Hospital Sparks Outrage and Suspensions

A tragic incident at one of Indore’s largest government hospitals, where two newborns were bitten by rats in the paediatric surgery ward, has led to the death of one infant and prompted swift action against hospital staff.

The rat bites occurred on the night of August 30-31, with one newborn sustaining injuries to the hand and the other to the shoulder. The infant who passed away, weighing only 1.2 kilograms, died on Tuesday. While doctors attribute the death to a severe infection and congenital complications, the presence of rats in a neonatal ward has ignited public fury over negligence and poor hygiene.

Dr. Arvind Ghanghoria, Dean of MGM Medical College, admitted the lapse in safety protocols and confirmed that a high-level committee is investigating the incident. “Two children were bitten by rats in the Pediatric Surgical Ward. One was already critically ill with multiple complications, but this incident raises serious concerns about our safety measures,” he stated.

The deceased infant, transferred from Khargone, was in critical condition with low hemoglobin and underdeveloped organs, requiring oxygen and ventilator support. Doctors noted that the child was left unattended by parents during treatment, but the rat bite is seen as a significant factor worsening the infant’s fragile state.

The second newborn, also bitten, remains under observation with severe congenital issues, including underdeveloped lungs and intestines. The infant has undergone surgery and is stable but still on ventilator support.

Hospital Staff Face Consequences

In response to the incident, the hospital administration has taken decisive steps:

• Two nurses on duty during the incident have been suspended.
• The nursing superintendent of Ambu Hospital has been removed from her position.
• Show-cause notices have been issued to two nursing in-charges and the Head of the Perioperative Surgery Department.
• The pest control company tasked with rodent management has been fined ₹1 lakh.

Known Issues Ignored

Hospital staff admitted that rats had been spotted in the ward four to five days before the incident, but no formal reports were filed. “The nursing staff’s failure to report the rodent sightings could have prevented this tragedy,” Dr. Ghanghoria said. He noted that pest control measures are conducted every 15 days, with a register maintained for staff signatures, but this case exposed a failure in reporting and oversight.