Court Shuts Novokuznetsk Maternity Ward for 90 Days After Newborn Deaths

Overview

• The regional court found the hospital liable under Part 1, Article 6.3 of the Administrative Code and halted admissions to Obstetric Inpatient Unit No. 1 for up to 90 days with access allowed for repairs and remediation.
• Rospotrebnadzor reported on January 15 that inspectors identified failures to ensure compliance with sanitary law and patient safety, and the agency petitioned the court to suspend intake.
• The Kemerovo regional health ministry said the deceased infants had intrauterine infection, and six newborns remain in intensive care.
• The Investigative Committee detained Chief Physician Vitaliy Kheraskov, who was placed under house arrest, and acting neonatal ICU head Alexey Emikh, who faces court-imposed restrictions.
• The city’s second maternity hospital continues operating to provide services during the shutdown, and the court decision has not been appealed.