Rats Bite 2 Newborns' Fingers, Head, Shoulder Inside Indore Hospital ICU

Two babies were allegedly bitten by rats inside the intensive care unit (ICU) of a government hospital in Madhya Pradesh's Indore, prompting officials to launch a probe.

The babies, born last week, were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the Maharaja Yashwantrao Chikitsalaya (MYH), one of the biggest government hospitals in the state.

When the nursing team of the hospital saw the injured newborns, they informed the hospital management. The administration then scanned CCTV cameras installed in the unit and found rats jumping in a swing near the newborns. 

The first incident was reported on Sunday, followed by a similar one on Monday.

Hospital superintendent Dr Ashok Yadav confirmed that pest control was last carried out in the hospital five years ago. "In the last 48 hours, rats have bitten the fingers of a baby in the intensive care unit, while another infant suffered bites to the head and shoulder... The infants are safe and under continuous care. We will soon conduct an extensive pest control drive across the hospital. Relatives have also been advised not to bring food inside the wards as it attracts rodents," Dr Yadav said.

Another senior doctor, Dr Brajesh Lahoti, said, "There is a large population of rats inside the hospital. We have instructed staff to remain alert, iron nets are being installed, and a large-scale pest control plan is being drawn up to prevent recurrence."

This is not the first time the rodent menace has reared its head in government hospitals in Madhya Pradesh. In 2023 alone, multiple mortuaries across the state reported rodent attacks on human bodies. In June, the ear of a 50-year-old man's body was found nibbled in Bhopal's Hamidia Hospital. In May, the nose and hand of a 70-year-old accident victim's body were gnawed at Vidisha District Hospital. And in January, rats chewed on the eyes of two bodies stored at Sagar District Hospital's 

The opposition Congress has blamed the BJP government for neglecting healthcare in the state. "Even newborns are not safe in MP's biggest hospital. This incident shows the collapse of public health infrastructure under this government," said Congress spokesperson Dr Amit Chaurasia.