Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla orders AIIMS team to probe maternal deaths in Kota
Synopsis
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has stepped in personally after expectant mothers died at Kota's Medical College Hospital, ordering an AIIMS-led expert team to inspect hospitals in the Kota-Bundi region and directing officials to hold negligent staff accountable — a rare federal-level intervention in a state health crisis.
Key Takeaways
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla chaired a high-level review on Tuesday at CAD Auditorium, Kota over maternal deaths at Medical College Hospital, Kota .
A team from AIIMS, Delhi and other central institutions will visit hospitals in the Kota-Bundi region to investigate causes of infection in operation theatres and assess infrastructure.
Birla called the deaths an "extremely sensitive matter" and warned that negligence in medical care would not be tolerated.
Kota Divisional Commissioner Anil Agarwal has been directed to form a committee to inspect all government hospitals in the district.
Officials were instructed to strengthen sanitation, nursing care, and emergency services, and take strict action against negligent employees.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday chaired a high-level review meeting at the CAD Auditorium in Kota, Rajasthan, following the deaths of expectant mothers at the Medical College Hospital, Kota. Birla directed that a team of experts from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, and other central medical institutions would soon visit hospitals in the Kota-Bundi region to investigate the causes and recommend corrective measures.
Key Developments at the Review Meeting
The meeting was attended by Medical Department Principal Secretary Gayatri Rathore, Kota Divisional Commissioner Anil Agarwal, District Collector Piyush Samariya, and superintendents and medical officers from several hospitals, including the Medical College Hospital and J.K. Lon Hospital. Birla sought detailed factual information regarding the entire sequence of events and reviewed findings of an inquiry team previously dispatched from Jaipur.
Calling the deaths of expectant mothers an
Point of View
Particularly in Kota, which has previously made national headlines for child deaths. The deployment of an AIIMS team signals that the Centre is not willing to leave this to state oversight alone. The real question is whether the forthcoming SOP recommendations will be implemented with accountability mechanisms, or whether they will join a long shelf of unexecuted hospital reform reports.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla intervene in the Kota maternal deaths case?
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla intervened after expectant mothers died at the Medical College Hospital in Kota, Rajasthan, calling the incident an extremely sensitive matter. He chaired a high-level review meeting on Tuesday to assess the facts, review inquiry findings, and direct corrective action.
What will the AIIMS expert team do in Kota?
The AIIMS, Delhi team and experts from other central medical institutions will visit hospitals in the Kota-Bundi region to investigate causes of infection in operating theatres, examine surgical procedures, and assess hospital infrastructure and management. They will then prepare a detailed report and recommend Standard Operating Procedures.
Who attended the high-level review meeting in Kota?
The meeting was attended by Medical Department Principal Secretary Gayatri Rathore, Kota Divisional Commissioner Anil Agarwal, District Collector Piyush Samariya, hospital superintendents, medical officers, and senior officials including Additional Divisional Commissioner Mamta Tiwari and Municipal Corporation Commissioner O.P. Mehra.
What action has been ordered against negligent staff?
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla directed officials to hold accountable those responsible for the deaths and to take strict action against negligent employees. Doctors and medical staff were instructed to exercise utmost caution during surgical procedures.
What committee has been formed to inspect Kota's government hospitals?
Kota Divisional Commissioner Anil Agarwal has been directed to constitute a committee under his chairmanship to inspect all government hospitals in the district, assessing medical resources, sanitation, nursing care, emergency services, and overall hospital management.
