Four newborns died at the Special Neonatal Care Unit (SNCU) of the Government Medical College Hospital in Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh's Surguja district on Monday. The government ordered a probe and sought a report within 48 hours.
A government communiqué quoted the Dean of the Medical College Hospital, Dr Ramnesh Murthy, as saying that the deaths occurred between 5.30 and 8.30 am.
While the kin of the deceased claimed that the babies, two of whom were on ventilator support, died due to power outage, the hospital administration said the deaths cannot be linked to the power cut.
"The four babies were in critical condition and were admitted in the Special Neonatal Care Unit (SNCU). Of them, two were on ventilator support," Murthy said.
As per preliminary information, there was a fluctuation in the power supply between 1 and 1.30 am, which was rectified. However, such a fluctuation does not affect the SNCU as it has alternate power supply which was functioning, he said.
At least 30 to 35 children are undergoing treatment in the SNCU, the official said.
A detailed investigation into the matter is underway, following which the exact cause of deaths will be known, he said, adding that the medical report of the four infants will soon be released by the hospital.
Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Health Minister TS Singh Deo told the Health Secretary to constitute a team to probe the incident.
"After learning about the deaths, I have asked the Health Secretary to constitute a probe team and send it for an enquiry. I have also apprised Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel," Singh Deo said in a video statement.
The Minister flew to Ambikapur by helicopter on Monday afternoon and visited the hospital. He told reporters that stern action will be taken in case any laxity was found.
Meanwhile, parents of the deceased alleged that the power supply in the hospital was disrupted for more than three hours at night, and accused the hospital staff of negligence. Governor Anusuiya Uikey and Chief Minister Baghel expressed grief over the deaths.