The couple met the district magistrate and demanded action (Representational)
A nine-day-old baby died after allegedly being bitten by rats in the intensive care unit government-run hospital in Bihar's Darbhanga district, the family said on Tuesday.
However, the hospital authorities denied the charge, and the district administration assured the family of a probe into the matter.
The infant was ill and admitted to the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital on Monday. He died early on Tuesday "after being bitten by rats due to the hospital's negligence".
"We were shocked to find that rats were trying to nibble at the hands and legs of my newborn during a visit to the NICU late on Monday.There was no nurse or doctor on duty. We immediately informed hospital officials but they informed us that the child was already dead," Phuran Chaupal, the father said.
The child was admitted to the hospital in critical condition and there was no sign of rat bites on his body, Head of Child Department said.
Mr Chaupal said he along with his wife Neelam Chaupal had brought the child for treatment.
The couple met District Magistrate in-charge Kari Prasad Mahto and demanded action against the hospital. Mr Mahto said that an investigation will be conducted into the allegations.