Kota’s healthcare system has come under serious scrutiny after four women died due to complications following Caesarean section surgeries at hospitals in the city over the past week.
The incidents have sparked outrage across Rajasthan, leaving several newborns without their mothers and raising concerns over the state of healthcare services in Kota. Along with the deaths, multiple women are reportedly battling kidney failure and other critical complications after undergoing Caesarean deliveries.
Families of the victims have alleged medical negligence, delayed treatment and the possible use of substandard medicines. They have also questioned hygiene standards in hospitals, claiming that algae layers were visible in operation theatres and that doctors ignored repeated complaints about severe pain after surgery.
The latest victim, 31-year-old Pinky Mahawar from Shriramnagar in Kota, died shortly after midnight on Sunday at the Super Speciality Block of the Medical College’s New Hospital. She had delivered a baby girl just days earlier at J.K. Lon Hospital.
According to her family, Pinky’s condition deteriorated soon after the surgery. Her blood pressure reportedly dropped sharply, she stopped passing urine and later developed signs of kidney failure.
Her husband, Chandraprakash, alleged that despite her worsening condition, the hospital delayed referring her for advanced treatment. By the time she was shifted to ventilator support at the New Hospital, it was allegedly too late.
Pinky leaves behind a four-year-old son and a newborn daughter. Her family has now staged a dharna outside the hospital, demanding accountability and compensation.
Earlier, 22-year-old Priya Mahawar from Bundi district also died following a Caesarean delivery at J.K. Lon Hospital. Before that, two other women, Payal and Jyoti Nayak, died on May 5 and May 7, respectively.
Several other women reportedly developed kidney failure after Caesarean surgeries, with at least eight patients still said to be in critical condition.
Congress city president Rakhi Gautam, who joined the protest with Pinky’s family, questioned why authorities had failed to provide answers despite the first death being reported on May 4.
She said the symptoms appeared similar in all cases, including kidney failure and sudden low blood pressure after surgery. She also alleged that doctors privately suspected the use of substandard medicines but were hesitant to speak publicly.
The Rajasthan government has launched a high-level inquiry into the matter. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma ordered a swift investigation, while Medical Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar has been monitoring the developments.
Gayatri Rathore, Principal Secretary of the Medical Education Department, said preliminary findings pointed to gross negligence in following medical protocols and procedures.
Following the inquiry, Associate Professor Dr Navneet Kumar was suspended, while contract doctor Dr Shraddha Upadhyay was dismissed from service. Nursing officers Gurjot Kaur and Nimesh Verma were also suspended, and notices were issued to senior doctors.
The Rajasthan government has additionally halted the use of 24 medicines and medical devices across the state amid suspicions over their quality. Samples have been sent for laboratory testing.
The Medical and Health Department has directed all government hospitals to strictly follow treatment and sterilisation protocols, especially in ICUs, emergency wards and operation theatres.
Hospitals have been instructed to ensure proper sterilisation of equipment, safe medicine storage, maintenance of duty records and mandatory presence of senior doctors in critical units. State-level monitoring teams will also conduct regular inspections.
Meanwhile, grieving families have refused to accept the bodies of the deceased women until a fair investigation is conducted and strict action is taken against those responsible.
Sources suspect severe infections leading to kidney failure may be linked to the cases, though the hospital administration has not yet issued a clear official explanation.
The issue has now turned into a major political controversy, with opposition parties targeting the government over the condition of Rajasthan’s healthcare system.
With Inputs From IANS