The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital (CSMH) in Thane, Maharashtra, known as Kalwa hospital, has once again faced scrutiny after the deaths of 21 newborn babies within a single month. The tragic event unfolded in June, with the hospital confirming that 15 of the babies were born at the facility and six were referred from other hospitals.
According to Child Specialist Dr. Jayesh Panot, the primary reasons for the deaths were low birth weight and preterm delivery. He stated that 19 of the 21 babies were preterm, one did not cry after birth, and one succumbed to an infection. The deaths are reported to have occurred in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Dr. Panot expressed concern about the timing of admissions, stating that “By the time the kids are admitted to our hospital, precious time has already been lost and there is little that can be done medically to save them.”
The incident has sparked outrage, with Congress MLA Amin Patel raising the issue in the assembly. In a post on X, Patel questioned the accountability for these deaths, demanding action from the government, administration, and hospital. He alleged that newborns were denied essential medication immediately after birth, leading to their deaths. Patel urged the state health minister to take immediate action and prevent such incidents from recurring.
The latest tragedy comes just months after 18 patients died at CSMH within 24 hours in August 2023, prompting the government to order an investigation. The hospital has been under the spotlight for its performance, and this latest event raises serious concerns about the quality of care provided to newborns and other patients.
In a separate incident in Thane district, five buffaloes and two cows were electrocuted in Dombivali on Friday afternoon. The incident occurred in Pisvali village after a live wire touched a cattle shed. The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) workers had temporarily cut off power to trim branches touching the power lines near the shed. When the supply was restored, the cattle were electrocuted.
