Doctors detained after 9 newborns die in Russian hospital

The head doctor and the temporary chief of critical care at a Siberian hospital, where nine newborns passed away recently, have been detained by Russian authorities, according to prosecutors on Wednesday.

This incident has highlighted ongoing issues with staff shortages and lack of resources in the nation's healthcare system, sparking both frustration and confusion among Russian lawmakers and online critics.

Authorities have accused the two of negligence resulting in fatalities, the Investigative Committee of Russia stated in a release.

The precise reasons for the fatalities at Novokuznetsk Maternity Hospital No. 1 remain undetermined.

However, local health officials mentioned the infants were afflicted with various conditions and died either during birth or while still in the womb.

A report by the regional health department indicated that between December 1 and January 11, 234 babies were born at the facility, with 17 placed in the hospital's critical care unit due to serious health issues.

Of the 17 infants in a critical condition, 16 of them were premature, including those with extremely low birth weight. All 17 had a severe intrauterine infection," said the health ministry's statement."Unfortunately, nine children did not survive."

According to the Reuters news outlet, citing the Argumenty i Fakty publication, the hospital was issued at least five alerts from health authorities.

Russian medical professional Pavel Vorobyov wondered aloud why no steps had been taken earlier, as Reuters noted.

"With the first death, they (doctors and nurses) should have bust a gut and started doing something... when nine people have died and everyone is silent, something very strange is going on," Argumenty i Fakty quoted him.

On Tuesday, the hospital declared it halted admissions due to an elevated level of respiratory infections.

"Between January 4 and January 12, 2026, nine newborns died at Novokuznetsk Maternity Hospital No. 1 as a consequence of the suspects performing their official and professional medical duties in a substandard way," stated the Investigative Committee of Russia. A forensic investigation into each infant's death is in progress, they added.

The Komsomolskaya Pravda tabloid in Russia published a report on Tuesday noting a deficit of numerous hospital staff, although the hospital countered this claim.

Russia’s parliament's upper house speaker described the event as a misfortune.

"It must never be repeated," declared Valentina Matvienko in a statement.

The Kuzbass region's governor, which includes Novokuznetsk, declared an inspection of all maternity and prenatal hospitals in the region on Tuesday.

Pro-Kremlin politician Yana Lantratova expressed on Telegram: "In times of a demographic crisis, allowing several infants to die in one maternity hospital in such a short period is a crime against the country."

The alternate maternity hospital in Novokuznetsk—a city of approximately half a million residents in southern Siberia—continues its operations, confirmed the regional health ministry.