Outcry in Indore: Tribal Group Demands Justice After Infants' Deaths in Hospital

A wave of anguish and indignation has swept through Indore as the Jai Adivasi Yuva Shakti (JAYS) organization staged a fervent protest outside the city's prominent Maharaja Yeshwantrao (MY) Hospital. The demonstration was sparked by the deeply disturbing deaths of two tribal infants, both born prematurely and in critical condition, who tragically succumbed within days of each other.

Their grieving families, supported by JAYS, allege a horrific cause: rat bites and gross medical negligence that they claim went unaddressed by hospital staff.

The first tragedy unfolded on August 20, when a 25-day-old infant, who had been admitted in critical health, died. The family's harrowing account includes discovering multiple bite marks on the infant's body, which they vehemently claim were inflicted by rats roaming freely within the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Their pleas for attention and complaints about the unsanitary conditions, they assert, fell on deaf ears, ignored by the very medical personnel entrusted with their child's care.

Just two days later, on August 22, another premature infant, a mere two days old, met a similar heartbreaking fate.

This child, too, was found with what the family describes as rat bites on their fragile body. The cumulative shock and sorrow have fueled public outrage, turning a private tragedy into a collective demand for accountability and systemic change.

The JAYS organization, representing the marginalized tribal communities, has taken a strong stand, demanding swift justice for the deceased infants and their families.

Their protest wasn't merely a show of grief but a powerful call to action, demanding substantial compensation for the families, stringent action against any negligent hospital staff, and a thorough investigation into the appalling conditions at the state-run medical facility. They underscore the critical issue of access to quality healthcare for vulnerable populations, highlighting how such incidents erode trust in public institutions.

In response to the escalating controversy, MY Hospital's administration has issued denials, refuting the allegations of rat bites as the primary cause of death.

Hospital Superintendent Dr. PS Thakur maintained that the infants were extremely premature and critically ill from birth, suggesting their deaths were primarily due to complications related to their fragile conditions. However, the vivid testimonies from the families and the visual evidence they describe paint a starkly different, deeply troubling picture.

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation and the mounting public pressure, the state government has intervened, ordering an immediate inquiry into the incidents.

District Collector Ilayaraja T has been tasked with overseeing this investigation, promising a comprehensive probe into the circumstances surrounding the infants' deaths and the alleged negligence. The outcome of this inquiry will be crucial in determining accountability and hopefully preventing such harrowing incidents from ever occurring again, ensuring that the most vulnerable among us receive the dignified and safe care they deserve.