Govt suspends 2 more docs over Kota C-section deaths

Kota: The Rajasthan govt Tuesday suspended two more doctors and nursing officers for alleged negligence in connection with the recent deaths of four women following caesarean sections at different govt hospitals in Kota. This comes even as an AIIMS Delhi-led team of experts is set to investigate the events surrounding the women's deaths.Several other women who underwent the same procedure in Kota ended up in critical condition. Professor Badrilal and associate professor Khushboo Meena of the obstetrics and gynaecology department at New Medical College Hospital (NMCH), Kota, were suspended "with immediate effect" for negligence in treatment and supervision.Nursing officer Pinki Khinchi of J K Lon Hospital and nursing officer Meenakshi Meena of NMCH were also suspended.Show-cause notices were simultaneously issued to J K Lon Hospital superintendent Nirmala Sharma and NMCH superintendent Ashutosh Sharma for their alleged administrative and supervisory failures. The govt said disciplinary action against the two will follow if their replies are found unsatisfactory."On the directions of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, a fair and thorough investigation is being conducted, and action is continuously being initiated against those found responsible," the govt said in a statement.Meanwhile, Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla chaired a high-level meeting regarding the issue before announcing that experts from AIIMS Delhi and other central medical institutions will visit hospitals in Kota and Bundi to investigate the deaths and infections among post-C-section patients.The experts will also recommend corrective measures and new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).An official statement said the AIIMS-led team will assess operation theatre infection control systems, surgical procedures and hospital management practices before submitting a report identifying deficiencies and recommending reforms.Principal secretary (Health), Gayatri Rathore, who inspected J K Lon and NMCH hospitals again Tuesday, said SOPs on hospital procedures, blood transfusion and patient treatment must be complied with and protocols in ICUs, operation theatres and emergency units must be strictly followed.