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Health activists demand action after deaths of two women in Kota caesarean incident
Health activists in Rajasthan demanded stringent action after the deaths of two women following caesarean deliveries at Kota's New Medical College Hospital. They submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma urging accountability, a high-level inquiry, and the activation of drug safety and pharmacovigilance systems, citing deep systemic failures in procurement, storage, testing, and monitoring. A team of doctors from Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh Government Hospital was deployed to Kota to monitor patient treatment, and about 50 public health experts supported the memorandum.
Why It Matters
The incident highlights potential systemic gaps in drug safety, quality testing, and accountability within public health, underscoring the need for robust pharmacovigilance.
Timeline
5 Events
Criminal action and compensation demands outlined by JSA
May 8, 2026
JSA coordinator Chhaya Pachauli stated that criminal cases should be registered against responsible officials, drug suppliers, and quality testing agencies, with strict legal action. The memorandum also demanded compensation of ₹1 crore to the next of kin of the deceased and at least ₹50 lakh to seriously affected women, along with social security support.
Demand for high-level inquiry and action against those responsible
May 8, 2026
The signatories called for a high-level inquiry into the incident and action against the guilty, asserting that health complications among the women might have arisen from contaminated or incorrect drugs and fluids.
About 50 health experts sign the memorandum
May 8, 2026
Around 50 public health experts, doctors, social activists, and representatives from various organisations across Rajasthan signed the memorandum endorsing the demand for accountability and action.
Medical team from SMS Hospital arrives in Kota to monitor patients
May 8, 2026
A team of four doctors from Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh Government Hospital arrived in Kota to monitor the treatment of women admitted in the nephrology ward, as part of the response to the incident.
Health activists submit memorandum to Chief Minister and demand action on Kota caesarean deaths
May 8, 2026
Health activists in Rajasthan submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma demanding stringent action on the deaths of two women after caesarean deliveries at Kota's New Medical College Hospital. They cited deep systemic failures in public health related to drug procurement, storage, quality testing, monitoring, and accountability, and urged activation of the drug safety and adverse effects monitoring system and pharmacovigilance units to identify and act on adverse drug reactions.