A tragedy shook the city of Novokuznetsk, at
The information was initially released by local news agencies, citing sources linked to the security forces and Telegram channels, and later confirmed by Ministério of Saúde of Região of Kemerovo. The case raises serious questions about the conditions of care and health management at the institution.
Entre 1º de dezembro de 2025 e 11 de janeiro de 2026, a maternidade assistiu a 234 partos, dos quais 32 bebês necessitaram de tratamento na unidade de terapia intensiva. Dezessete newborns were considered in critical condition, 16 of them premature, including cases with extremely low birth weight. Todos critically ill babies had severe intrauterine infections and, according to the health department, received medical care in accordance with established clinical guidelines.
Details of the tragedy and official figures
Ministério of Saúde of Região of Kemerovo confirmed that, unfortunately, nine children did not survive hospitalization. Outras four children remain under observation in the intensive care unit, while four newborns were transferred to specialized treatment in Hospital Clínico Infantil from Kuzbass, Professor Malakhovsky, seeking better conditions and care.
The Novokuznetsk maternity ward stopped new patient admissions a few days before the incident came to light. Embora unofficial sources speculated about high infant mortality or lack of staff, the hospital’s official statement attributed the suspension of admissions to the respiratory infection rate having exceeded the established limit, configuring quarantine measures.
Suspension, investigation and allegations of negligence
Diante of the seriousness of the situation, Comitê of Investigação of Região of Kemerovo opened a criminal case. The charges are based on two articles of Código Penal Russo: negligence (Part 3 of Artigo 293) and culpable homicide (Part 3 of Artigo 109). Consequentemente, Vitaly Kheraskov, the hospital’s chief physician, has been suspended from his duties while investigations continue.
Paralelamente, Procuradoria of Kuzbass, Roszdravnadzor (Agency The objective is to verify the sanitary conditions, medical procedures and general management of the unit to determine the causes and responsibility for the deaths.
Reports of parents and unsanitary conditions
Relatos of parents of the deceased babies brought up additional concerns. The father of one of the newborns stated that the medical team had withheld information about his son’s health status, assuring him that both the baby and his wife were fine, and then informing him of the death. Ele claims that the hospital refused to answer his questions about the cause of death.
Arina B., uma mãe de 26 anos que perdeu seu bebê prematuro, declarou que a equipe da maternidade apresentava sintomas de doenças respiratórias, tossindo e espirrando, mas circulava sem máscaras ou luvas. Ela said that her son’s blood pressure rose suddenly, taking him to the neonatal ICU, where he died. Embora the doctor attributed the cause to cardiac arrest, the subsequent autopsy would have revealed a generalized infection.
Reaction from authorities and visit from experts
News of the tragedy generated repercussions at high levels of the Russian government. Valentina Matviyenko, president of Conselho of Federação, called the deaths a “tragedy” for Estado, which strives to support the country’s birth rate. Ela instructed the competent committee of Conselho of Federação to closely monitor the investigation.
The Ministro of the Russian Saúde, Mikhail Murashko, acted by sending a team of experts to Novokuznetsk to inspect the maternity ward. The team included renowned professionals from Centro Nacional, Pesquisa Médica Kulakov, Obstetrícia, Ginecologia, and
Controversy over the cause of deaths
Vitaly Kheraskov, the suspended chief doctor, defended the hospital staff, stating that no viral infection capable of causing death to newborns had been detected internally. Ele highlighted that each death is being assessed individually, describing the cases as “really difficult”, involving premature babies with multiple illnesses. Kheraskov negou categoricamente a culpa dos médicos pelas mortes em entrevista a veículos locais, buscando tranquilizar a população de que “não há perigo agora” para gestantes ou moradores da cidade.
The context of public health in the region
Elena Perminova, head of Comitê of Política Social of Conselho of Ela expressed shock at the current situation, mentioning posts on social media that denounced unsanitary conditions, the presence of cockroaches and rats, spoiled food and mold on the walls of the institution. The ongoing investigation should clarify whether these conditions contributed to the series of deaths and the occurrence of the respiratory infection that led to the quarantine.
