Alwar hospital licence cancelled after mother dies in unattended delivery
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The Rajasthan Health Department on Friday, 7 August cancelled the licence of Nishu Hospital in Nagla Raisis, Alwar, after a woman died during childbirth in what departmental investigators found was an unattended delivery conducted without a qualified doctor present. Principal Secretary, Medical and Health, Gayatri Rathore also ordered the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against the hospital.
What Happened at Nishu Hospital
The incident occurred on 4 August, when Anjum (Pinky), wife of Sahil Khan, was admitted to Nishu Hospital for delivery. According to the Health Department, a nursing staff member carried out the procedure without a doctor's supervision, following which the patient died. The case came to light during a review meeting on maternal and child health services chaired by Rathore via video conference from Swasthya Bhawan.
Action Taken Against the Hospital
The department cancelled Nishu Hospital's licence under the provisions of the Clinical Establishments Act after irregularities were confirmed during the inquiry. All hospital operations have been ordered to cease with immediate effect. A letter has been written to the Medical Council of India seeking action against the hospital operator, Bhuvnesh Kumar Sharma. Separately, a letter has been sent to the Nursing Council recommending action against Rafikan Bano, the nursing staff member who allegedly conducted the delivery.
Systemic Failures Highlighted
The Principal Secretary directed officials to maintain accurate, updated records of health check-ups for pregnant women and ensure timely uploading of data. She instructed Principal Medical Officers (PMOs), Chief Medical and Health Officers (CMHOs), medical college officials, and specialists to treat high-risk pregnancy cases with the utmost seriousness. Notably, a notice was also ordered against the concerned Divisional Joint Director over negligence in handling high-risk pregnancy work in the Ajmer Division.
Broader Review Directives
The meeting also covered the status of biomedical equipment in government hospitals. Officials were instructed to update details of surplus, non-functional, and repairable equipment on the e-Upkaran portal, with maintenance agencies directed to repair reusable equipment without delay. Rathore further reviewed the condition of Health Department buildings, directing officials — in coordination with District Collectors — to identify dilapidated structures, prioritise repairs, and immediately restrict public access to unsafe buildings until work is completed.
The cancellation of Nishu Hospital's licence marks one of the more decisive regulatory responses to maternal mortality in Rajasthan in recent months, and signals heightened scrutiny of private clinical establishments across the state.