Thu Sep 25 20:50:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing and rewriting the provided text:
**News Article:**
**Rat Bites Claim Infants’ Lives, Expose Crisis in Madhya Pradesh Hospitals**
**Indore, Madhya Pradesh – September 26, 2025** – Public outrage is mounting in Madhya Pradesh following the deaths of two infants at Maharaja Yeshwantrao (MY) Hospital in Indore, after they were bitten by rats in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The tragic incidents, which occurred on September 2nd and 3rd, have exposed severe shortcomings in safety, hygiene, and overall management at the state-run facility.
The victims include a three-day-old infant whose family alleges had four fingers bitten off by rats. The incident highlights a cascade of failures, beginning with premature labor complications in a rural primary health center lacking adequate oxygen support, and compounded by a non-functional ambulance service. These factors forced the family to seek private transport to the MY Hospital in Indore, one of the state’s largest medical facilities.
The hospital administration suspended nurses on duty and removed the Nursing Superintendent, following news of the deaths. An internal probe was launched, and the Madhya Pradesh High Court took suo motu cognizance, citing “gross negligence”. The Court demanded a status report from the government and sent a team to inspect the hospital. Subsequently, the head of paediatric surgery was removed, and the acting head was suspended. The Medical Superintendent went on leave.
The investigation revealed that the contracted pest control team failed to respond to the initial rat bite incident. HLL Infratech Services, the contractor for pest control, terminated the services of Agile Security Force. Agile Security Force in turn terminated the contract of another private firm that it had hired for pest control. The hospital administration also imposed a penalty of ₹1 lakh on Agile Security Force. Opposition leaders have condemned the deaths as “outright murders,” pointing to systemic failures in government hospitals.
Adding to the crisis, similar rat bite allegations have surfaced at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College Hospital in Jabalpur, prompting another investigation. Families allege abandonment by hospital staff, compounded by financial hardship and neglect.
While the hospital administration claims the infants died due to pre-existing conditions, families and activists dispute this, citing the severity of the rat bites. Reports indicate the presence of rat traps throughout the facility, along with unsanitary conditions, rotting food, discarded clothes, and open garbage.
Hospital staff and contracted sanitation workers point to the abundance of food distributed by charitable groups and local leaders as a major contributor to the rodent problem. They allege that political interference hinders effective pest control measures. Furthermore, staff shortages, outdated infrastructure, and a high patient load are identified as systemic challenges. A sanctioned ₹773 crore project for a new building remains years away from alleviating the pressure on the existing facility.
The High Court is scrutinizing the Public Works Department (PWD) regarding building maintenance, drainage, electrification, and necessary renovations. The court also highlighted the shortage of nursing staff.
The incident has sparked widespread calls for accountability and systemic reforms to address the crumbling infrastructure, poor hygiene, and lack of resources plaguing Madhya Pradesh’s government hospitals.
First Piper 