8 women critical after C-sections at Jodhpur's Paota Hospital, probe ordered
Synopsis
Eight women developed serious health complications after Caesarean deliveries at Jodhpur's Paota District Hospital on 20 June, with two shifted to the ICU and the gynaecology operation theatre suspended. The incident has triggered a high-level probe and reignited the political debate over the state of maternal healthcare in Rajasthan's government hospitals.
Key Takeaways
Eight women developed serious health complications after Caesarean sections at Paota District Hospital, Jodhpur on 20 June 2025 .
Sonu and Lalita were shifted to the ICU at Dr S.N.
Medical College ; the remaining six are reported stable.
All procedures in the gynaecology operation theatre have been suspended pending test results on samples of medicines, equipment, and IV fluids.
Preliminary findings show no evidence of staff negligence so far; the inquiry continues.
District Collector Alok Ranjan inspected the hospital and ordered priority medical care for all affected women.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot demanded accountability, citing similar maternal health failures in Kota and Bikaner .
A high-level inquiry has been ordered after the health of eight women deteriorated following Caesarean deliveries at Paota District Hospital in Jodhpur on 20 June 2025, raising serious concerns about healthcare standards in government facilities and drawing sharp political criticism. The incident has prompted suspension of all procedures in the gynaecology operation theatre pending investigation.
What Happened at Paota Hospital
The eight women underwent Caesarean sections at Paota District Hospital on Saturday, 20 June, after which several patients recorded unusually high body temperatures and developed serious health complications. According to officials, two of the women — identified as Sonu and Lalita — were shifted to the intensive care unit at Dr S.N. Medical College for advanced treatment.
The remaining six women — Taslim, Payal, Santosh, Priyanka, Gattu Kanwar, and Nandu Kanwar — were reported to be in stable condition. Dr B.S. Jodha, Principal of Dr S.N. Medical College, confirmed that one patient experienced high blood pressure while another suffered excessive bleeding during surgery.
Samples Collected, OT Operations Suspended
Authorities have collected blood and urine samples from all affected women, along with samples of equipment, medicines, injections, and intravenous fluids used in the operation theatre. All gynaecology OT procedures have been suspended pending the test results.
According to preliminary findings, no evidence of staff negligence has emerged so far. Officials stated that further action will be determined based on the final investigation report. Jodhpur District Collector Alok Ranjan personally inspected the hospital, directed officials to ensure no negligence in patient care, and instructed them to provide all necessary medical facilities on priority.
Political Fallout: Congress Targets BJP Government
Senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot sharply criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government over the incident. In a post on social media platform X, Pilot described reports of eight women developing severe health complications — including kidney failure in two cases — as 'deeply distressing and alarming.'
Pilot alleged that the state government had failed to effectively manage healthcare services, pointing to earlier incidents in Kota and Bikaner where women reportedly suffered kidney failure after childbirth and, in some cases, lost their lives. 'The medical and health services in the state are continuously deteriorating under the BJP government. The condition of government hospitals has reached a critical stage, and ordinary citizens are paying the price with their lives,' Pilot said.
He demanded a high-level investigation, accountability for any negligence identified, adequate financial assistance for affected families, and improved medical treatment for the women.
What Comes Next
The inquiry is currently underway, with test results from the collected samples expected to determine the cause of the complications. The suspension of the gynaecology OT at Paota District Hospital means that women requiring emergency obstetric care in the district are being redirected. This is not the first such incident to raise alarms about maternal healthcare in Rajasthan's government hospitals, and pressure is mounting on the state administration to deliver a credible explanation.
Point of View
With Kota and Bikaner having recorded similar crises in recent years. The suspension of the gynaecology OT is a necessary precaution, but it also removes a critical service from an already stretched district facility, raising the question of where affected women will now be sent. Preliminary findings clearing staff of negligence may be accurate, but they will not be convincing without transparent, third-party verification of the lab results. The BJP government's response — an inspection and a directive to avoid negligence — is procedurally adequate but politically insufficient given the accumulating record of such incidents.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Paota District Hospital in Jodhpur?
Eight women developed serious health complications after undergoing Caesarean deliveries at Paota District Hospital in Jodhpur on 20 June 2025. Two of them were shifted to the ICU at Dr S.N. Medical College, while the remaining six are reported to be stable.
What is the current status of the affected women?
Two women, Sonu and Lalita, are under intensive care at Dr S.N. Medical College. The other six — Taslim, Payal, Santosh, Priyanka, Gattu Kanwar, and Nandu Kanwar — are reported stable as of 22 June 2025.
Why has the gynaecology operation theatre been suspended?
All procedures in the gynaecology OT at Paota District Hospital have been suspended pending the results of tests on blood, urine, medicines, equipment, and IV fluids used during the surgeries. The suspension is part of the ongoing inquiry into the cause of the complications.
What did Sachin Pilot say about the incident?
Congress leader Sachin Pilot posted on X calling the complications — including reported kidney failure in two cases — 'deeply distressing and alarming.' He alleged systemic failure in Rajasthan's government healthcare under the BJP and cited earlier incidents in Kota and Bikaner involving maternal deaths and kidney failure after childbirth.
Has any negligence been found so far?
According to preliminary findings, no evidence of staff negligence has emerged so far. However, the inquiry is still underway and officials have said further action will be taken based on the final investigation report and laboratory test results.
