Russia has opened a criminal investigation into the deaths of nine newborn babies this month, suspected of being the result of negligence at a maternity hospital in Siberia, authorities said.
The State Investigative Committee said staff were being questioned, medical records were seized and forensic examinations were underway to determine the cause of death at Hospital No. 1 in Novokuznetsk, a city of about half a million people, Reuters reported.
The hospital said that 32 babies had been treated in the intensive care unit since December 1, including 17 who were in critical condition with "severe intrauterine infections."
"All newborns received medical care in accordance with clinical guidelines. Unfortunately, nine babies did not survive," the hospital said in a statement.
It added that four babies remain in intensive care, while four others have been transferred to another hospital.
The case, reported by state and independent media, sparked widespread outrage.
Politicians, commentators and ordinary Russian citizens have questioned how the country can hope to increase the birth rate - a priority set by President Vladimir Putin - if such tragedies are allowed to occur.
MP Jana Lantratova called the case a "crime against the state."
Ekaterina Mizulina, the influential president of a lobby group that promotes internet censorship, accused local authorities of lacking "not a shred of compassion" after the regional health minister confirmed the deaths of the babies on television but failed to express condolences to the families, Reuters reports.
"How can young people decide to have children when they see things like this happening around them," she asked.
Ilya Seredyuk, governor of the Siberian region of Kuzbass, where the hospital is located, announced that the facility's chief physician had been suspended from his post while an investigation is underway.
His post on the Telegram app prompted dozens of shocked and angry comments about the state of the healthcare system, as well as demands for the dismissal of top officials.
The scandal could have national repercussions. The governor of the Vologda region, in northwestern Russia, about 3.000 kilometers from Novokuznetsk, said he had ordered a comprehensive inspection of maternity hospitals.
Russia's war in Ukraine has further strained healthcare funding, which is set to fall to 4,3 percent of the budget this year, from 6 percent in 2021 - the last full year before the conflict began. At the same time, defense and security spending has increased to 40 percent of the budget in 2025, from 24 percent in 2021 and is projected to be 38 percent this year, Reuters reports.
The hospital said on its website that it had suspended admissions due to an increase in respiratory infections and was implementing quarantine measures. The reason for the suspension was not given as the deaths of babies.
Bonus video:
