newborn-killed-another-critical-after-rat-bites-in-indore

Two infants undergoing treatment at Maharaja Yeshwantrao (MY) Hospital in Indore were bitten by rats, leaving one newborn dead and another critical on a ventilator, officials said on Tuesday.

 

The incident took place in the early hours of Monday, around 3 am, inside the paediatric surgery ward of the government-run hospital. Both infants were already in critical condition, suffering from severe infections. One was bitten on the hand while the other sustained injuries on the shoulder.

 

Following the revelation, two nurses on duty at the time were suspended, and a high-level committee has been set up to probe the matter.

 

MY Hospital Dean Dr Arvind Ghanghoria told, “Two children admitted here at MY hospital were bitten by the rat; one in the hand and the other on the shoulder. Both the infants were critical and suffering from infections. Both the children were very weak, one was operated, who has issues with its intestine and currently the child is critical, on a ventilator. While another was to be operated on as they had a severe infection. This child was also suffering from pneumonia, the rat had bitten its hand and that newborn died this morning. These children were born around a week ago.”

 

Dr Ghanghoria further claimed that there had been no rat presence in the hospital for the past two years, but a broken pipe in recent days allowed rodents to enter. He cited pest control experts as saying that recent rainfall and waterlogging had worsened the problem.

 

“It was our duty to inform the pest control team and nursing superintendent about the rats but the staff on duty did not inform anyone in the last 3-4 days. Therefore, a show-cause notice has been served to the ICU nursing in charge and two nurses on the duty have been suspended. Also, the nursing superintendent has been removed,” he said.

 

The dean added that the pest control company responsible had been fined Rs 1 lakh and warned of termination and blacklisting under the MoU.

 

A letter has also been sent to the hospital superintendent, directing improvements in arrangements and submission of a feedback report to prevent similar incidents.

 

A high-power committee has been tasked with investigating the incident and is expected to submit its report within seven days, Dr Ghanghoria said.