Jaipur: Eight women have died in Rajasthan following Caesarean-section deliveries. Six deaths occurred within five days at Bhilwara’s Mahatma Gandhi Government Hospital and two recent deaths in Banswara, exposing critical failures in infection control and patient safety within the state’s public healthcare system.
Hospital authorities have already confirmed a bacterial infection inside the Bhilwara operation theatre (OT). They are currently investigating whether this contamination directly caused the fatalities.
Bhilwara Hospital Overwhelmed and Under-Equipped
The crisis intensified on Friday when the sixth mother died in Bhilwara since July 6. In all cases, the women underwent C-sections before their health rapidly deteriorated.
Following the outbreak, hospital management took the following emergency actions:
- Suspended all surgeries in the contaminated operation theatre.
- Evacuated and shifted several patients to other hospitals as a precaution.
- Sent medical samples from the OT, surgical instruments, and equipment for immediate microbiological examination.
- Formed an inquiry committee to investigate lapses in hospital protocols.
Critical Infrastructure Lapses Exposed
The tragedy has turned a spotlight on the hospital’s severe resource crunch. Reports reveal that the hospital performs 30 to 40 C-sections daily using only five surgical sets, heavily compromising proper sterilization practices.
Additionally, a five-member team is now probing the incident and has seized samples of the injections administered to the victims.
Two More Fatalities Reported in Banswara
The crisis expanded to Banswara on Friday, where two new mothers died after delivering their first babies via C-section. Medical records indicate that one woman suffered from anaemia, while the other battled high blood pressure.
These twin tragedies follow similar recent maternal healthcare failures in Kota, Bikaner, and Jodhpur, triggering widespread public alarm over the state’s medical infrastructure.
Gehlot Slams BJP Government, Demands Union Intervention
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot fiercely criticized the ruling government, calling the maternal deaths “heart-rending and extremely alarming.”
“Continuing caesarean operations despite reports of infection in the operation theatre and performing 30-40 surgeries with only five surgical sets clearly reflects gross negligence and the deteriorating state of the healthcare system,” Gehlot stated. “Has the BJP government left Rajasthan’s healthcare system to fate?”
The senior Congress leader publicly urged the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to step in. He tagged Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on social media, demanding that the Centre immediately dispatch an expert team to Rajasthan for an independent, comprehensive investigation.
Government Response
Health Department officials maintain that an official inquiry is underway. They have promised strict action against any negligent staff once laboratory reports confirm the exact cause of the infections.
