‘A tragedy for the state’ Nine newborns died at a Siberian maternity ward this month, triggering a criminal investigation and renewed scrutiny of conditions — Meduza
meduza.io
Nine newborns have died in recent weeks at a maternity ward in the Siberian city of Novokuznetsk. In response to the deaths, the Russian authorities have launched a criminal investigation, and the hospital has temporarily stopped admissions. The incidents have also drawn attention to long-standing complaints about conditions at the facility. Here’s what we know so far.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.sdf.org/post/48984012

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Nine newborns have died this January at a maternity ward in Siberia, according to Russian state media, as well as Telegram channels close to law enforcement agencies. The reports have been confirmed by the Kemerovo Regional Health Ministry. […]

Medical workers, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the outlet that the ward was short on personnel and that orderlies were allegedly being asked to work as nurses. The hospital’s website, however, says admissions were suspended after respiratory infection rates exceeded a set threshold and that the maternity unit was temporarily closed for quarantine measures. The statement emphasizes that there is no staffing shortage.

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The father of one of the deceased infants told the outlet Baza that hospital staff withheld information from parents about their children’s condition. According to him, medical workers contacted him the morning after the birth to say that both his wife and child were doing well and that the delivery had gone smoothly. That same evening, he learned that the baby had died. He says hospital staff refused to answer his questions about the cause of death.

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A 26-year-old woman identified as Arina B., whose premature child also died, said all staff members appeared to be ill, coughing and sneezing while moving around the ward without masks or gloves. She said her baby experienced dangerous swings in blood pressure and was transferred to intensive care, where the infant later died. A doctor told her the cause was cardiac arrest, but, she says, an autopsy later revealed an infection.

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