Describing the deaths of postpartum women and the kidney failure suffered by several others in government hospitals in Kota and Bikaner as a shocking "institutional failure" of Rajasthan's healthcare system, former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has demanded accountability at the highest level.
In a strongly worded letter to Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, Gehlot said poor women who entered government hospitals with faith in the public health system had paid a devastating price for alleged negligence and systemic lapses.
Calling for urgent action, Gehlot demanded the immediate public release of investigation reports, registration of criminal cases against officials and doctors found responsible, their suspension, and a government guarantee for the lifelong treatment of affected women.
He said the incidents had raised disturbing questions about the quality of medicines, infection control in operation theatres, and the overall functioning of the state's healthcare machinery. Gehlot also expressed deep concern over the deaths of postpartum women and cases of kidney failure reported among several women at the New Medical College Hospital in Kota and PBM Hospital in Bikaner.
In the detailed letter to the Chief Minister, the Congress veteran sought strict action against those responsible and justice for the affected families. Calling the incidents far more serious than an isolated medical mishap, Gehlot described them as an "institutional failure" of the government healthcare system.
He demanded immediate public disclosure of investigation reports, criminal action against officials and doctors found responsible, and a government guarantee for the long-term medical treatment of affected women. Gehlot said he personally visited Kota on June 17 and met the affected women and their families.
He described the conditions he witnessed at the hospital as "heart-wrenching", stating that poor women who had placed their trust in the government healthcare system had been badly let down. According to the letter, five women have died following childbirth at the Kota hospital since May 4, while several others continue to suffer from kidney damage and require regular dialysis.
Gehlot cited media reports and expert findings that pointed to possible factors, including substandard medicines, poor hygiene, infection in critical hospital areas, and medical negligence. He also referred to concerns reportedly raised by an AIIMS team regarding infection in the operation theatre, questioning the claims made by hospital authorities.
Drawing attention to similar cases at PBM Hospital in Bikaner, where several women reportedly suffered kidney failure after childbirth, Gehlot said investigation findings indicated serious lapses, including poor sanitation, infection risks near operation theatres, and inadequate critical-care facilities.
He argued that the incidents reflected systemic shortcomings rather than unfortunate accidents. The former chief minister expressed concern that investigation reports prepared by AIIMS and state agencies have not yet been made public. He said transparency is essential to establish whether the cause lay in medicines, treatment protocols, patient care, or infection control measures, and to ensure accountability and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Key demands made by Gehlot include immediate suspension of officials and doctors found responsible and registration of FIRs against them, public release of investigation reports submitted by AIIMS and state authorities, expedited forensic testing by sending samples outside Rajasthan if required, immediate financial assistance to affected families from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, full government support for lifelong treatment, including kidney transplants if necessary, consultation with specialists from premier institutions such as AIIMS for advanced treatment, statewide review of infection-control protocols in operation theatres at government hospitals and public reassurance regarding the safety of maternal healthcare services in Kota and Bikaner hospitals.