Two senior doctors in southern russia have been arrested following the deaths of nine newborn babies over a period of several days earlier this month,investigators confirmed.
The chief doctor and acting head of the intensive care unit at Hospital No 1 in Novokuznetsk are being held on suspicion of negligence and causing death through negligence in connection with the infant fatalities.
The cause of the deaths remains unconfirmed, but authorities know the babies were all born between December 1 and January 12, during Russia’s extended New Year holiday period.
It has not been confirmed why or when the newborns died. pic: Reuters
Unverified reports in other Russian media outlets included claims from a woman who said her baby died after suffering a torn arm during birth, and another who accused a medical professional of using abusive language.
the deaths have sparked widespread shock and anger across Russia, where the quality of medical care can vary significantly, ranging from world-class facilities in major research hospitals to substandard conditions in some regional medical centers.
Novokuznetsk, a city of approximately 500,000 people in southern Siberia, is located roughly 342 miles (550km) from the border with Kazakhstan.
Professor Pavel Vorobyov, a prominent Russian doctor, argued that hospital staff should have acted decisively after the first death. “When nine people have died and everyone is silent, something very strange is going on,” Argumenty i Fakty quoted him as saying.
The tragedy has prompted questions from politicians, commentators, and citizens about Russia’s ability to improve its birth rate-a key priority for President Vladimir Putin-if such incidents are allowed to occur.
