Private Hospital Sealed In Gonda After Two Newborn Deaths

A private hospital on Bahraich Road in Gonda was temporarily shut down by the Uttar Pradesh health department on Friday following the deaths of two newborn boys on Thursday. The closure comes amid allegations of medical negligence and improper billing practices, prompting public outcry and an ongoing police investigation.

The first incident involved Manisha, wife of Mohit Kumar from Sataipurva, who delivered a baby boy on September 5 at the district women's hospital. After the infant’s condition worsened, he was admitted to the private hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where he died. The family alleges the NICU was operated by a doctor from the government-run district women’s hospital. The hospital demanded Rs 54,482, despite Mohit having paid Rs 45,000, and refused to release the infant’s body until the balance was cleared, leading the family to seek police intervention.

On the same day, another newborn, born to Kiran Singh on September 10 at the Katra Bazaar Community Health Centre, died at the same facility around 6 p.m. Vinay Singh, the father, reported the infant’s critical condition led to the transfer. Both families have filed complaints with Kotwali Nagar police, alleging negligence, though they declined post-mortem examinations.

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The deaths sparked protests, causing the hospital operator and doctor to flee. Authorities sealed the NICU and transferred remaining patients to a government hospital. Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. J.M. Chishti confirmed the closure, and Station House Officer Vivek Trivedi stated that investigations are underway to address the families’ demands for justice.

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