Nine women die after surgery in two Rajasthan towns in one week
Nine women die after surgeries in Rajasthan; government orders inquiry into maternal deaths and potential healthcare negligence.
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Published - July 12, 2026 05:45 am IST - JAIPUR
Nine women have died at two government hospitals in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara and Banswara cities after undergoing caesarean section and other gynological surgeries during the last one week. The State government has ordered an inquiry by the teams of medical experts in both the incidents of maternal deaths.
Five deaths were reported at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Bhilwara, where an operation theatre has been closed following the recovery of an “unsatisfactory” micro-biological sample. In Banswara, four females, including a minor, died between July 7 and 10 after their surgeries in the obstetrics and gynecology department.
Medical and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar said here on Saturday that while expert teams had been deployed in both the cities, a meeting with gynecology experts will be held on Monday to review the cases and discuss corrective measures.
Mr. Khimsar will visit Bhilwara on Tuesday, even as the investigation is underway to ascertain the exact causes of deaths. The Minister said the preliminary probe in Bhilwara had not established any connection between the deaths of women and infection in the operation theatre.
“The deaths were caused by different medical complications, such as myocardial infarction, hypovolemic shock, pulmonary thromboembolism, HELLP syndrome and post-partum haemorrhage with DIC,” Mr. Khimsar said in a statement.
In Banswara, two patients were brought to the hospital in a critical condition, while two cases involved caesarean procedures. One of the deceased was a minor girl who was admitted in critical condition caused by unsafe abortion in a village inhabited by tribals.
Mr. Khimsar said the investigation would cover the crucial aspects of treatment protocols, quality of medicines, infection control and monitoring systems. Strict action would be taken if any negligence was found, he added.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot demanded an inquiry by the Union Health Ministry into the incidents of maternal deaths. Mr. Gehlot said there were “serious lapses and gross negligence” in the State’s healthcare system, and the caesarean operations were continuing despite infection being reported positive in the operation theatres of government hospitals.
Published - July 12, 2026 05:45 am IST
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