Newborn’s Death Sparks Outrage After Rat-Bite Incident at Indore Hospital

Indore, El Sky News — A public outcry has erupted in Madhya Pradesh after two newborns at Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital (MYH) were found with rat-bite injuries inside the neonatal care unit, with one of the infants later dying amid concerns over hospital hygiene and supervision.

The incident, which occurred between August 30 and 31, involved two premature babies receiving intensive treatment in the neonatal ward. According to hospital officials, staff discovered small bite marks on both infants during routine checks, prompting immediate medical intervention and an internal review. The hospital administration later confirmed the presence of rodents in the ward, leading to swift disciplinary and pest-control actions.

One of the babies, weighing roughly 1.2 kilograms and already in critical condition due to congenital complications, died several days after the incident. Doctors emphasized that the death was primarily caused by severe medical issues unrelated to the bite wounds, though the discovery of rats inside the unit has intensified public anger and raised questions about systemic negligence.

Following the revelations, the hospital suspended several staff members for failing to ensure proper monitoring of the ward. Authorities also fined the contracted pest-control company and ordered a full fumigation of the facility. The state government has demanded detailed reports on hygiene lapses and has directed the hospital to tighten surveillance in all critical-care units.

Health officials acknowledged that while rodent infiltration in older hospital buildings is a recurring challenge, the appearance of rats inside an intensive neonatal room represents a serious breach of safety standards. The case has since drawn widespread attention across India, fueling debates about public-hospital maintenance, budget allocation, and patient safety.

An inquiry committee is currently reviewing CCTV footage, staff logs, and maintenance records to determine the extent of negligence and whether further action is warranted.