Maharashtra: 55 newborns die in Nashik hospital in August due to 'lack of ventilators'

A hospital in Nashik has reported death of 55 newborns, adding to the recent spate of infant deaths that took place in different parts of the country.

Hospital authorities, however, denied reports that the deaths were caused by medical negligence.

Since April, 187 infants have died in the unit with 55 deaths reported in August, Nashik civil surgeon Suresh Jagdale said.

"Most of these deaths occurred because the infants were brought from private hospitals in a stage in which there is less chance of recovery. The deaths were also due to reasons like premature birth and lung weakness," Jagdale said.

The civil surgeon said there was "no medical negligence" in any of the cases. "There are 18 incubators, and we have to keep two, sometimes three, children in one due to the paucity of space," he said.

Health Minister Deepak Sawant backed the civil surgeon and said it is a "fact" that infants are brought to the government hospital at the last stage and this had led to the high number of deaths.

OneIndia News