Kota hospital C-section deaths: Rajasthan suspends doctor, 2 nursing staff
Synopsis
Mothers died after cesarean sections at a government hospital in Kota, and Rajasthan acted swiftly — suspending a doctor, dismissing another, and serving notices to two unit heads. The incident has exposed systemic gaps in post-operative monitoring and protocol adherence at the New Medical College Hospital, prompting a state-ordered inquiry and a top-down review of surgical and anaesthesia systems.
Key Takeaways
Multiple mothers died or suffered serious deterioration after cesarean sections at New Medical College Hospital, Kota .
Dr Navneet Kumar (Associate Professor, General Surgery) has been suspended ; Dr Shraddha Upadhyay (UTB contract) has been dismissed .
Senior Nursing Officers Gurjot Kaur and Nimesh Verma suspended and transferred to Jaipur headquarters.
Show-cause notices issued to unit heads Dr B.L.
Patidar and Dr Neha Sehra of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has ordered an impartial inquiry; Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar is personally monitoring the situation.
Hospital directed to overhaul operation theatre management , anaesthesia protocols , and post-operative monitoring arrangements immediately.
The Rajasthan Government took swift action late on Friday night after multiple mothers died or suffered serious health deterioration following cesarean sections at the New Medical College Hospital in Kota, suspending one doctor and two senior nursing officers found prima facie guilty of negligence. A doctor on an Urgent Temporary Basis (UTB) contract was dismissed from service, and show-cause notices were issued to two additional doctors.
Who Was Suspended and Dismissed
Dr Navneet Kumar, Associate Professor in the Department of General Surgery, has been suspended with immediate effect. Dr Shraddha Upadhyay, an Assistant Professor serving on a UTB contract, was dismissed from service entirely. Senior Nursing Officers Gurjot Kaur and Nimesh Verma were suspended for negligence in duties, failure to follow established medical protocols, and laxity in patient monitoring. Their headquarters have been shifted to Jaipur.
Show-Cause Notices and Supervisory Accountability
Show-cause notices were issued to Dr B.L. Patidar and Dr Neha Sehra, both Unit Heads in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The notices seek explanations regarding possible negligence in supervisory responsibilities, monitoring of treatment protocols, post-operative surveillance, coordination mechanisms, and deficiencies in medical arrangements related to the incident.
What the Preliminary Inquiry Found
Principal Secretary, Medical Education Department, Gayatri Rathore, stated that the preliminary inquiry revealed prima facie evidence of gross negligence in adherence to medical protocols and procedures. Commissioner of Medical Education Babulal Goyal visited Kota on Friday to conduct a detailed review, gathering information from doctors, nursing staff, and the hospital administration, and inspecting treatment facilities.
Government Response and Directives
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has directed that an impartial and expeditious inquiry be conducted, followed by stringent punitive measures. Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar is closely monitoring the situation and has instructed officials to ensure the best possible medical care for mothers currently undergoing treatment. The hospital administration has been directed to conduct a comprehensive review of operation theatre management, anaesthesia protocols, medicine distribution systems, and post-operative monitoring arrangements, and to implement immediate corrective measures.
What Happens Next
The state government has ordered a detailed inquiry into the entire matter. Upon receipt of the inquiry report, strict disciplinary action will be taken against any official, doctor, or staff member found responsible. Rathore emphasised that patient safety remains the state government's highest priority and that negligence will not be tolerated. Continuous monitoring of all admitted expectant mothers is currently underway under expert medical supervision.
Point of View
Not once. If multiple mothers deteriorated after cesarean sections at the same facility, the failure is structural, not merely individual. Suspending frontline staff without a credible audit of staffing ratios, anaesthesia oversight, and ICU capacity risks making scapegoats of individuals while the institutional conditions that enabled the tragedy remain intact.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at New Medical College Hospital in Kota?
Multiple mothers died or suffered serious health deterioration after undergoing cesarean sections at the New Medical College Hospital in Kota, Rajasthan. A preliminary inquiry found prima facie evidence of gross negligence in adherence to medical protocols and post-operative monitoring.
Who has been suspended or dismissed in connection with the Kota hospital deaths?
Dr Navneet Kumar, Associate Professor in General Surgery, has been suspended. Dr Shraddha Upadhyay, an Assistant Professor on a UTB contract, has been dismissed from service. Senior Nursing Officers Gurjot Kaur and Nimesh Verma have also been suspended and transferred to Jaipur.
What action has the Rajasthan government ordered going forward?
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has directed an impartial and expeditious inquiry into the matter. Strict disciplinary action will be taken against anyone found responsible once the inquiry report is received. The hospital has also been directed to overhaul its operation theatre, anaesthesia, and post-operative care systems.
Why were show-cause notices issued to Dr B.L. Patidar and Dr Neha Sehra?
Dr B.L. Patidar and Dr Neha Sehra, Unit Heads in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, were served show-cause notices seeking explanations on possible negligence in supervisory responsibilities, treatment protocol monitoring, post-operative surveillance, and coordination failures linked to the incident.
What is being done for mothers currently admitted at the hospital?
Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar has instructed officials to ensure the best possible medical care for mothers currently undergoing treatment. Continuous monitoring of all admitted expectant mothers is underway under expert medical supervision, according to state officials.
