Nine women have died following caesarean and gynecological procedures at government hospitals in Bhilwara and Banswara, Rajasthan. The state government has ordered an inquiry into the deaths. Officials stated the fatalities resulted from varied medical complications.
Five deaths occurred at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Bhilwara. An operation theatre there was closed after an unsatisfactory micro-biological sample was recovered. Four deaths, including that of a minor, took place at a hospital in Banswara between July 7 and July 10.
Medical and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar said expert teams had been sent to both cities. A meeting with gynecology experts is scheduled for Monday. Khimsar stated that preliminary findings in Bhilwara showed no link between the deaths and infection in the operation theatre.
Khimsar listed causes including myocardial infarction, hypovolemic shock, pulmonary thromboembolism, HELLP syndrome and post-partum haemorrhage with DIC. In Banswara, two patients arrived in critical condition and one case involved an unsafe abortion.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot called for an inquiry by the Union Health Ministry. He cited serious lapses and gross negligence in the state healthcare system.
