1 dead, 5 critical after C-sections at Kota govt hospital; probes ordered

KOTA: A 26-year-old woman died and five others were in critical condition after developing severe complications following caesarean deliveries at the super speciality ward of New Medical College Hospital in Kota, prompting multiple inquiries and a state-level investigation Wednesday. The complications surfaced 8 to 10 hours after surgeries were conducted Monday evening and later in the night at the govt hospital.

The deceased, identified as Payal from Bhainsrorgarh in the Chittor district, succumbed to her deteriorating health condition Tuesday, hours after undergoing caesarean surgery. Her baby is said to be healthy.

Hospital authorities said that post-operation, the health status of six women began to decline drastically, marked by a significant drop in blood pressure, a fall in platelet counts, and blockage of urine due to kidney infection. All six women were shifted to the nephrology ward, while the six newborns, including that of the deceased woman, were transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for close monitoring.

Dr Nilesh Kumar Jain, the principal of the New Medical College Hospital, said Wednesday, "At least 12-13 pregnant women underwent caesarean deliveries Monday evening and late night, and six of them started deteriorating within the subsequent hours. They are showing signs of kidney infection."

He emphasised the gravity of the situation, noting that the complications observed were not uncommon following such surgeries but were severe in this case. Jain added that a death-audit committee had been formed to determine the cause of Payal's demise.

Also, the hospital formed a five-member medical team led by Dr Vikas Khandeliya to oversee the treatment of the critical women. Another five-member team led by Dr Suresh Dulara was constituted to investigate why six of the women suffered complications while others who underwent caesarean deliveries the same evening did not. "There seems to be some reason for the deterioration that only affected this group out of the twelve," Dr Jain said, expressing concern over the unexpected nature of these complications.

Dr RP Meena, the additional superintendent of the hospital, provided an update on the affected women's health, saying, "The condition of all five women is stable and they are talking. However, until we pass the 72-96 hours mark, we cannot declare them out of danger."

The incident provoked chaos among family members of the patients, with local BJP MLA Sandeep Sharma visiting the hospital Wednesday to assess the situation and to demand accountability from hospital authorities. Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla also later visited the critical patients and their families.

The state medical department Wednesday sent a four-member team from SMS Medical College, Jaipur, to assist in treatment and probe at Kota. The team includes Dr Nihar Sharma from anaesthesia, Dr Sunil Kumar Mahavar from medicine, Dr Pawan Aggarwal from obstetrics and gynaecology, and Dr Sanjeev Kumar Sharma from nephrology.