Kota (Rajasthan), May 7 (PTI) Congress leader and ex-chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday slammed the ruling BJP government over the death of two women within 48 hours after caesarean deliveries at New Medical College and Hospital (NMCH), terming it "unpardonable".
In a post on X, Gehlot questioned the "complete silence" of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and asked the government to punish those responsible for medical negligence.
Around 12-13 pregnant women underwent C-section surgeries at the government hospital on May 4. But after 8-12 hours of the surgery, the condition of six women deteriorated, and they were referred to the nephrology department on the same day.
"The negligence that occurred at the New Medical College Hospital in Kota is unpardonable. Pregnant women remained in severe distress throughout the night, but no one paid attention to them," Gehlot said on X.
"Despite such a massive failure of the system, the complete silence at the chief minister's level reflects extreme insensitivity. The chief minister should immediately review the situation, and strict action must be taken without delay against those responsible. This negligence will not be tolerated," he added.
Meanwhile, Kota District Collector Peeyush Samariya visited the hospital on Thursday afternoon and took stock of the situation. Education Minister Madan Dilawar and Energy Minister Heeralal Nagar also visited the hospital on Wednesday night and Thursday noon, respectively, and inquired about the medical care given to the infected women.
Speaking to the media at the hospital, Samariya said a team of specialist doctors from Jaipur have been sent to assist in the medical care of the infected women, and also to analyse the cause of death and infection of the two deceased women.
"It is too early to decide on compensation to the kin of the deceased and to the infected women, as post-mortem reports of the deceased are yet to be received, he added.
The deceased were identified as Jyoti Nayak (19) and Payal (32), both residents of Kota.
While Joyti succumbed to death during treatment early Thursday morning, Payal died on Wednesday morning.
Additional principal of the college, Dr RP Meena, said Jyoti's condition had worsened on Thursday morning, prompting the medical staff to put her on a ventilator. But she succumbed to death around 10.30 am.
Dr Meena said Jyoti's newborn baby, as well as 4 others, are in sound health and under medical observation.
"Of the other four infected women, two are on recovery, while the condition of the other two is stable," Dr Nilesh Kumar Jain, Principal of NMCH, said.
When asked whether the infected women would be referred to a higher health centre, Jain said their treatments would be conducted in this hospital, adding that it is equipped with the required facilities and dedicated medical teams.
He further said that the inquiry committee report has not mentioned what caused the infection and death of the women.
Dr Jain said the medical team of experts from Jaipur were largely satisfied with the line of treatment given by doctors at the Kota hospital.
Jyoti's family members had initially refused to take her body and staged a massive protest on the premises. But they finally relented later in the day and received her body.
The family has filed a complaint with the police, who have registered a case under Section 194 (unnatural death) of the BNSS.
Mahaveer Nagar police station's Circle Inspector Digvijay Singh said an investigation is underway.