Six Children Die in Romanian Hospital Because of Bacterial Infection Outbreak

Six children have tragically died at the “Sfânta Maria” Children’s Hospital in Iași following an outbreak of the antibiotic-resistant bacterium Serratia marcescens. The victims, aged between newborns and eight years old, were being treated in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The outbreak, which infected nine infants under the age of one, was first detected on September 13. However, hospital officials only reported the incident to the Iași Public Health Directorate six days after it occurred. During this period, crucial isolation protocols were not fully enforced, allowing the bacteria to spread. Three other children remain infected but are in stable condition. Some have been transferred to other hospitals for continued care.

Delayed Response Under Fire

Health Minister Alexandru Rogobete strongly condemned the hospital’s failure to act promptly. “The delay in reporting and the lack of immediate containment measures are unacceptable,” Rogobete said, announcing an urgent investigation into the circumstances.

Following the revelations, ICU admissions were suspended and strict hygiene procedures were introduced. Authorities have also imposed fines on both hospital staff and the institution for violating mandatory safety and reporting standards.

Medical sources confirmed that the affected children were already suffering from severe underlying illnesses, including meningitis, epilepsy, and convulsive syndromes, which complicated their treatment. Forensic experts are currently working to determine whether the bacterial infections were the direct cause of death or an aggravating factor in these vulnerable patients.

A Broader Problem in Romania’s Healthcare System

The outbreak highlights long-standing issues in Romania’s hospital system, where infections acquired in medical facilities remain a serious challenge. Serratia marcescens is known for its resistance to many antibiotics, making it particularly hazardous in intensive care wards, where patients are already vulnerable.

According to EU health monitoring reports, Romania continues to register one of the highest rates of hospital-acquired infections in the European Union. Despite repeated warnings from Brussels about compliance gaps, underfunding, and outdated infrastructure, progress has been slow. This tragedy once again underlines the urgent need for systemic reforms, particularly in infection control and crisis management protocols.

The case has sparked outrage among parents of the victims and patient rights organisations, who are demanding transparency and accountability. Calls are growing for stronger oversight and for hospital managers to face consequences when they fail to report failures that endanger lives.

“This is not just about one hospital. It is about a system that continues to ignore safety warnings until tragedies occur,” said one representative of a national patient advocacy group.

The investigation launched by the Ministry of Health is expected to deliver its first findings in the coming weeks. For now, Romania faces renewed scrutiny from both citizens and European partners over whether it can meet the healthcare standards required within the EU.