480 newborns died at Civil Hospital Mithi in eight months

As many as 480 newborn babies suffering from malnutrition, low birth weight and various illnesses died at Tharparkar's Civil Hospital Mithi during the first eight months of 2026. Hospital authorities and the district health officer reportedly remained unaware of the details.

The health situation of newborns at Civil Hospital Mithi, the only major public hospital in Tharparkar, remains alarming. A total of 480 babies, admitted to the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), died between January and August 2026 due to malnutrition, low birth weight, various medical complications and diseases.

According to the NICU's monthly records, a total of 2,273 newborn babies were brought for treatment during the first eight months of 2026, of whom 480 died.

The highest number of deaths, 75, was recorded in May, followed by 70 in January, 39 in February, 54 in March, 47 in April, 65 in June, 69 in July and 61 in August.

During the same period, 1,387 babies, admitted to the NICU, were discharged after their health improved, while 106 were referred to other hospitals for further treatment. The records also show that parents of 126 children left the hospital along with their kids against medical advice.

According to figures obtained from reliable sources, 232 newborns were admitted to the NICU in January, 200 in February, 240 in March, 274 in April, 365 in May, 305 in June, 348 in July and 309 in August.

In Tharparkar, infectious diseases, malnutrition among children and mothers, and early marriages are among the factors contributing to premature and low-birth-weight babies.

When contacted for information about the deaths and related statistics, Civil Surgeon of Mithi Civil Hospital Dr Shahid Jhanjhi did not provide any information.

District Health Officer Dr Lakhraj Sarangani also avoided providing details, saying that his office did not collect information about children and that all hospitals had been handed over to the People's Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI). However, Civil Hospital Mithi, five taluka hospitals and 95 medical dispensaries are still under the administrative control of the DHO.

Newborn deaths are also reported at the seven tehsil headquarters and rural health centres across Tharparkar. However, the district health authorities are keeping the records confidential and have not been providing the media with any information.