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In a truly horrific and unthinkable tragedy, two newborn babies have died after being bitten by rats in a government hospital in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The incident, which has shocked the nation and highlighted a severe lack of hygiene and pest control, occurred within a span of just a few days at the hospital, leaving many to question the safety and quality of care for the most vulnerable patients.
The Unspeakable Deaths of Two Innocents
The first incident came to light when a 28-day-old newborn, who was admitted for treatment of a blood infection, was found dead with rat bites on his body, including his feet and hands. The family alleged that the bites were the cause of death, but hospital authorities claimed the rat bites occurred after the baby’s death and were not the cause.
Just days later, a second newborn baby met a similar, tragic fate. This baby, who was found abandoned in a hospital bathroom, was also discovered with rat bite marks on her hands and face. Despite being treated, she succumbed to her injuries, marking the second such death in a short period and drawing widespread attention to the hospital’s alarming conditions.
Official Denial and Mounting Public Outrage
The response from the hospital administration and doctors has only added to the public’s outrage. In a controversial move, hospital authorities denied that the rat bites were the direct cause of death for either infant. They claimed the first baby died from a blood infection and the second from asphyxiation. This official denial was met with fierce backlash from the families and the public, who pointed out the clear evidence of the rat bites and the unacceptable state of hygiene that allowed such an incident to occur in the first place.
Following the outrage, the hospital’s superintendent was suspended, and a probe was ordered to investigate the deaths. Doctors have also been transferred as the government works to address the shocking lapse in patient care.
A Call for Accountability and Systemic Change
This double tragedy is a grim wake-up call for the public health system in India. It underscores the urgent need for better infrastructure, strict pest control measures, and a commitment to maintaining cleanliness in government hospitals. The lives of two innocent newborns were lost in a manner that is both tragic and unacceptable. The families deserve justice, and the public deserves to know that such an incident can never happen again. The investigation must lead to real accountability and systemic changes to ensure that our public health facilities are safe havens, not places where such unthinkable tragedies can occur.
