As many as 21 newborns died in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Government Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Kalwa, Thane district, in June. This is the same hospital where 18 patients died in a 24-hour period in December 2023.
Incidentally, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's hometown is Thane. He had visited the hospital in 2023 and ordered the renovation of the hospital. However, there has not been any changes or measures taken after the incident.
On Thursday, July 4, the dean of the hospital, Dr. Rakesh Barot confirmed 21 deaths (6 septic and 15 non-septic).
Most of the newborns were brought to the hospital in critical condition after efforts to save them in private hospitals failed. Head of Department of Pediatrics Dr. Jayesh Panot told FPJ that most of the children involved were those who did not receive the golden minute i.e. immediate treatment after birth.
Another doctor said that some private hospitals extort the children's parents by admitting the babies for a few days, charging exorbitant fees and then abandoning them. Dr Panot added that the Intensive Care Unit (NICU) has 35 beds, which is not enough to handle the patient load in Palghar and other tribal areas. The next hospital with a NICU is at Nashik.
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