Kota hospital deaths: Rajasthan bans 24 medicines, suspends doctors after C-section deaths
Synopsis
Two women died after Caesarean deliveries at Kota Medical College, triggering a statewide ban on 24 medicines and medical devices, suspension of doctors and nursing staff, and a high-level probe. Preliminary findings point to senior doctors being absent from the post-gynaecology ward — raising serious questions about patient safety in Rajasthan's public health system.
Key Takeaways
Two women died following Caesarean deliveries at Kota Medical College , with several other patients reportedly falling critically ill.
The Drug Control Department has banned 24 medicines and medical devices statewide until laboratory test results are received.
15 of the 24 items were supplied by RMSCL ; the remaining 9 were procured locally by the hospital.
Dr Shraddha Upadhyay was removed from service; Dr Navneet Kumar and two nursing staff were suspended.
Inquiry reportedly found senior doctors absent from the post-gynaecology ward, leaving care to resident doctors.
Congress has formed a four-member committee and sought a report within three days .
The Rajasthan government has launched sweeping administrative action following the deaths of two women after Caesarean deliveries at Kota Medical College, with several other patients reportedly developing serious health complications in the aftermath. As part of an emergency response, the state's Drug Control Department has banned the use, sale, and distribution of 24 medicines and medical devices across Rajasthan until further orders.
Medicines and Devices Banned Statewide
Drug Controller Ajay Phatak has issued directives to the Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation Limited (RMSCL) and medicine vendors across the state, instructing them to immediately halt the use and distribution of all items whose samples have been sent for laboratory testing. The restricted items include injections, glucose bottles, IV sets, syringes, catheters, and other medical supplies commonly used during surgeries and postnatal treatment.
According to officials, 15 of the 24 medicines and medical devices under scrutiny were supplied to Kota Medical College by RMSCL, while the remaining nine items were procured locally by the hospital administration. None of these items will be used in any government hospital or medical college until test reports are received.
Disciplinary Action Against Doctors and Staff
Preliminary findings from the inquiry reportedly pointed to negligence by doctors and nursing staff. Dr Shraddha Upadhyay, who was serving on an Urgent Temporary Basis (UTB), has been removed from service in connection with the case. Dr Navneet Kumar, Assistant Professor in the Surgery Department, along with two nursing staff members, has also been suspended.
Show-cause notices have been issued to the ward in-charge and other medical personnel. The inquiry reportedly found that senior doctors were absent from the post-gynaecology ward, leaving patient care largely in the hands of resident doctors — a lapse that investigators believe may have contributed to the fatalities.
What the Government Said
State Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar confirmed that a detailed investigation was underway and assured the public that strict action would be taken against anyone found guilty. The Medical Department had earlier ordered a high-level inquiry as public concern mounted over the deaths.
Political Response and Congress Inquiry
The Indian National Congress (Congress) has constituted a four-member inquiry committee to independently examine the matter and has sought a report within three days. The political intervention signals that the controversy has moved beyond administrative accountability and into the arena of public scrutiny.
This comes amid broader concerns about the quality of medicines procured through centralised government supply chains in public hospitals. The outcome of laboratory tests on the banned items is expected to be a critical turning point in determining whether the deaths were caused by substandard drugs, medical negligence, or a combination of both. All eyes are now on the investigation's findings and whether systemic reforms will follow.
Point of View
And ward supervision gaps that place life-or-death decisions in the hands of the least experienced staff. The statewide ban on 24 medicines is a precautionary measure, but it also implicitly acknowledges that the supply chain itself may be compromised. If lab tests confirm substandard drugs, the accountability trail will lead well beyond the suspended doctors — straight to procurement processes at RMSCL. The Congress committee adds political pressure, but the real test is whether this tragedy produces systemic reform or merely disciplinary optics.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Kota Medical College?
Two women died following Caesarean deliveries at Kota Medical College in Rajasthan, and several other patients reportedly developed serious health complications. A high-level inquiry was ordered, with preliminary findings pointing to negligence and the absence of senior doctors from the post-gynaecology ward.
Why has Rajasthan banned 24 medicines?
The Drug Control Department banned the use, sale, and distribution of 24 medicines and medical devices statewide as a precautionary measure while their samples are sent for laboratory testing. The ban covers injections, glucose bottles, IV sets, syringes, catheters, and other surgical and postnatal supplies used at the hospital.
Who has been suspended or removed in connection with the Kota hospital deaths?
Dr Shraddha Upadhyay, who was serving on an Urgent Temporary Basis, has been removed from service. Dr Navneet Kumar, Assistant Professor in the Surgery Department, and two nursing staff members have been suspended. Show-cause notices have also been issued to the ward in-charge and other personnel.
What did the inquiry find about the Kota Medical College incident?
Preliminary findings reportedly indicated negligence by doctors and nursing staff, with senior doctors found to be absent from the post-gynaecology ward. Patient care was largely left to resident doctors, which investigators believe may have contributed to the deaths.
What is the Congress doing about the Kota hospital deaths?
The Indian National Congress has constituted a four-member inquiry committee to independently examine the matter and has sought a report within three days, adding political scrutiny to the ongoing government investigation.
