In a maternity hospital in a Russian city, nine infants have died since the beginning of the year.

An employee of the Investigative Committee at the maternity hospital of Novokuznetsk City Hospital. Photo - Investigative Committee / RIA Novosti / Sputnik / Profimedia.
According to data provided by the publication Meduza and confirmed by TASS and NGS42, there were 234 births in the Novokuznetsk maternity hospital from December 1 to January 11. There were 32 infants in the intensive care unit, 17 of whom were in critical condition, including 16 premature babies. All 17 newborns were diagnosed with severe intrauterine infection. The Ministry of Health of the Kemerovo region stated that all children received the necessary medical assistance.

Unfortunately, nine infants could not survive. Four children remain under observation in the intensive care unit, while another four have been transferred to the Kuzbass Children's Clinical Hospital named after Professor Malakhovsky for further treatment.

The maternity hospital suspended the admission of new patients a few days ago, as reported by NGS42. A source indicates that the reason for this could be high rates of infant mortality or a shortage of medical personnel. Anonymous medical workers claim that the institution is understaffed, and orderlies were assigned to nurse duties. The hospital's website states that hospitalization has been temporarily suspended due to exceeding the threshold for respiratory infections; however, information about the staff shortage has been denied.

The Investigative Committee of the Kemerovo region has opened a criminal case under two articles: "Negligence" and "Causing death by negligence." Chief physician Vitaly Kheraskov has been suspended from his duties, and the prosecutor's office, Roszdravnadzor, and Rospotrebnadzor have begun inspections at the medical facility.

The maternity hospital at Novokuznetsk City Hospital. Photo - Yaroslav Belyaev / TASS / Profimedia.
The father of one of the deceased infants told the publication "Baza" that the maternity hospital staff did not inform parents about the condition of their children. He recounted that in the morning after the birth, he was told that everything was fine with his wife and newborn, but in the evening he learned of the child's death. Furthermore, the medical staff refused to explain the reasons for the death.

Aryna B., a 26-year-old mother of one of the deceased infants, shared that the entire maternity hospital staff was ill and did not use personal protective equipment. She stated that her premature child was diagnosed with "blood pressure spikes," and after being transferred to intensive care, he passed away. Doctors attributed the death to cardiac arrest; however, the autopsy revealed the presence of an infection.

Vitaly Kheraskov reported that viral infections that could have caused the deaths of the newborns were not found in the hospital. Each situation is considered individually. "All the children were premature and had accompanying diseases. At the moment, there are no threats to either pregnant women or the residents of the city," added the chief physician. In an interview with Mash, he categorically denied the doctors' guilt in the infants' deaths.

Elena Perminova, head of the Social Policy Committee of the Federation Council, noted that numerous complaints had been received about the maternity hospital. She expressed her bewilderment regarding the situation, as many complaints from mothers about the quality of service in this institution were recorded on social media. The publication Mash reported that patients complained about unsanitary conditions, the presence of cockroaches and rats, as well as poor-quality food.