An employee of the Investigative Committee at the Novokuznetsk maternity hospital. Photo - Investigative Committee / RIA Novosti / Sputnik / Profimedia.
According to information provided by the publication Meduza, nine infants have died at the maternity hospital of the City Clinical Hospital No. 1 named after Kurbatov in Novokuznetsk since the beginning of this year. This data was reported by TASS and NGS42, citing sources as well as Telegram channels close to law enforcement agencies. Later, this information was confirmed by the Ministry of Health of the Kemerovo region.
The agency reported that from December 1, 2025, to January 11, 2026, 234 births were registered at the facility. There were 32 children in intensive care, 17 of whom were in extremely serious condition, with 16 of them being premature with extremely low birth weight. All 17 infants were diagnosed with severe intrauterine infection. Medical assistance was provided to them in accordance with clinical recommendations, the ministry claims.
According to the Ministry of Health, "unfortunately, nine children did not survive. Four are under observation in the intensive care unit, and another four have been transferred to the Kuzbass Children's Clinical Hospital named after Professor Malakhovsky."
It became known that the maternity hospital stopped accepting patients a few days ago, as reported by a source from NGS42. According to him, the closure may have been related to high infant mortality or staff shortages. Anonymous medical workers told the publication about the lack of staff, which led to the involvement of orderlies to work as nurses. The hospital's website states that due to a surge in respiratory infections, the obstetric facility has suspended hospitalization "during the quarantine measures," while asserting that there is no staff shortage at the institution.
A criminal case has been initiated by the Investigative Committee of the Kemerovo region under the articles "Negligence" and "Causing Death by Negligence." Chief physician Vitaly Kheraskov has been suspended from his position. Inspections are being conducted at the institution by the Prosecutor's Office of Kuzbass, Roszdravnadzor, and Rospotrebnadzor.
The maternity hospital in Novokuznetsk City Hospital. Photo - Yaroslav Belyaev / TASS / Profimedia.
The father of one of the deceased infants told "Baza" that the medical staff at the maternity hospital concealed information about the children's condition from the parents. He stated that in the morning after the birth, the doctors informed him that his wife and child were fine, but in the evening he learned of the child's death. The man claims that the medical staff refused to explain the cause of death.
Aryna B., a 26-year-old mother of one of the deceased infants, reported that the entire staff of the maternity hospital was sick, coughing, and sneezing, but did not use masks or gloves. She mentioned that her premature child had issues with blood pressure and was sent to intensive care, where the baby died. The doctor stated that the cause of death was cardiac arrest, but the autopsy revealed the presence of an infection.
Vitaly Kheraskov stated that a viral infection that could cause the deaths of newborns was not found in the hospital. He noted that each death has its own story. "The children are indeed all complicated, with prematurity, each with individual diseases. The main thing is that there is currently no threat to pregnant women and the population as a whole," added the chief physician. In an interview with Mash, Kheraskov "categorically denies" the guilt of the medical staff in the deaths of the infants.
The head of the Committee on Social Policy of the Federation Council, Elena Perminova, noted that numerous complaints had been received about the maternity hospital in Novokuznetsk. She expressed shock at the situation, pointing out that there were many negative reviews from mothers about the conditions and service in this maternity hospital on social media. Mash also reports complaints from patients about unsanitary conditions, including mentions of cockroaches and rats, spoiled food, and mold on the walls.
