Eight women have died in separate incidents in Rajasthan following Caesarean-section deliveries, including six deaths in Bhilwara within five days and two in Banswara, triggering concerns over infection control, sterilisation practices and patient safety in the state's public healthcare system.

The deaths in Bhilwara occurred at Mahatma Gandhi Government Hospital between July 6 and July 11, with all six women having undergone C-section deliveries before their health deteriorated.
Hospital authorities have confirmed the presence of infection in the operation theatre (OT), although investigations are underway to determine whether it directly contributed to the deaths.


OT Closed, Samples Sent for Testing

Following reports of infection, authorities suspended surgeries in the affected operation theatre and shifted several patients to other hospitals as a precautionary measure.
Samples collected from the operation theatre, surgical instruments and medical equipment have been sent for microbiological examination.
A committee of inquiry has been constituted to investigate the deaths and examine whether there were lapses in sterilisation procedures, infection control measures or hospital protocols.

Questions Raised Over Hospital Infrastructure

The incident has also raised concerns about infrastructure and capacity at the Bhilwara hospital.
According to reports, the facility conducts between 30 and 40 Caesarean deliveries every day despite having only five surgical sets available for such procedures, prompting questions over sterilisation cycles and infection management practices.
Officials said a five-member team has been formed to probe the matter, while samples of medicines and injections administered to the patients have also been collected for analysis.

Two More Maternal Deaths Reported in Banswara

In a separate incident, two women died in Banswara on Friday after undergoing Caesarean deliveries for their first childbirth.
Health officials said one of the women was suffering from anaemia, while the other had high blood pressure, although investigations are continuing to determine the exact causes of death.
The latest incidents come amid earlier concerns regarding maternal healthcare services in Kota, Bikaner and Jodhpur, adding to scrutiny of Rajasthan's public healthcare system.

Gehlot Seeks Independent Central Investigation

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot described the deaths as "heart-rending and extremely alarming" and alleged that they reflected serious deficiencies in the state's healthcare infrastructure.
Expressing condolences to the families, Gehlot questioned the decision to continue conducting surgeries despite reports of infection in the operation theatre.

He also raised concerns over reports that 30 to 40 surgeries were being conducted daily using only five surgical sets, describing it as a sign of "gross negligence".

"The deaths of postpartum women in Bhilwara and Banswara are heartbreaking and deeply worrying. Continuing Caesarean surgeries despite reports of OT infection and conducting 30-40 operations daily with only five surgical sets raises serious questions about patient safety and healthcare management," Gehlot said.

Call for Union Health Ministry Intervention

The senior Congress leader urged the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to send an expert team to Rajasthan to independently assess conditions in government hospitals and investigate the recent maternal deaths.

Tagging Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda in his appeal, Gehlot called for urgent intervention to prevent further loss of life.
Meanwhile, state health officials said investigations are ongoing and action would be taken based on the findings of the inquiry committees and laboratory reports.

This comes after last month where close on the heels of maternal deaths and kidney-related complications reported in Kota and Bikaner following caesarean deliveries, a similar case surfaced at Paota District Hospital in Jodhpur, where eight women have fallen ill.