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Nine Newborn Deaths in Novokuznetsk Maternity Hospital Spur Central Takeover of Probe

The case has been moved to Russia’s central Investigative Committee, signaling federal scrutiny of the hospital’s practices.

Overview

  • The Investigative Committee transferred the investigation to its central apparatus and engaged senior investigators, criminalists and experts.
  • Criminal cases were opened for causing death by negligence and for negligence, and forensic and laboratory examinations are underway to establish exact causes.
  • Regional health authorities say the deceased newborns had severe intrauterine infections, with many babies premature or presenting congenital pathologies.
  • The maternity unit was closed for quarantine due to elevated acute respiratory infections among staff, and the hospital’s chief physician was suspended.
  • Federal watchdogs launched inspections as records show more than 100 prior checks with documented violations, and initial staff swab tests reportedly found no infections.