Multiple newborn deaths at public hospitals in Jalisco and Durango trigger clinical and legal investigations

Investigations into the deaths of newborns treated at public hospitals in the states of Jalisco and Durango have expanded as more families demand answers about their children’s deaths.

At least eight and perhaps as many as 18 newborn deaths have occurred since March in the neonatal intensive care unit at the Centro Médico Nacional de Occidente in Guadalajara, Jalisco.

#Estados | Padres de tres bebés fallecidos entre julio y agosto de 2026 en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales del Centro Médico Nacional de Occidente denunciaron ante la FGR al IMSS Jalisco por presunta negligencia médica y falta de higiene. MP.

🔗 https://t.co/Nm3fYpXSTy

— La Silla Rota (@lasillarota) October 2, 2026

And last month, five newborns died in the neonatal intensive care unit of General Hospital Zone No. 1 in Durango city, Durango.

Both hospitals are government-funded public institutions under the auspices of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS).

Earlier this week, IMSS Director General Zoé Robledo ordered an independent clinical audit to review the records of newborns who died in Jalisco, which he said “is not intended to point the finger at medical personnel,” as its “priority is to know the truth, support the families and prevent similar events from happening again.”

At least eight of the deaths in Guadalajara have been linked to hospital-acquired infections involving the bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae and the fungus Candida albicans. 

In Durango, health authorities confirmed that four of the five infants who died between Sept. 15 and Sept. 19 tested positive for the same bacteria.

The clinical audit is being conducted independently of the complaints filed with the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) by relatives of some of the newborns.

Forensic investigations, including necropsies, are ongoing to establish legal responsibilities.

Robledo insisted he will fully cooperate with the FGR and any other competent authority in the investigations, but suggested it remained to be determined that the infections detected had a direct relationship with the deaths.

The IMSS audit is being conducted by a committee comprising neonatologists, infectious disease specialists, and epidemiologists, who will analyze each case individually to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Robledo said the audit’s findings will be communicated first to the families, adding that if any errors or liabilities are found, the IMSS will act accordingly, “regardless of the level at which they occur.”

Protests by the grieving families last month prompted intense public scrutiny, leading the IMSS to dismiss its state delegate in Durango and the neonatal unit was temporarily closed to contain any potential outbreak. 

In Jalisco where the tragedies stretched from March 14 through Sept. 28, the director of the Guadalajara hospital and the head of the neonatal unit were temporarily removed from their posts.

With reports from El País, International Business Times and La Jornada.