Two women die after C-section at Bundi district hospital in Rajasthan
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Two women — 32-year-old Kavita and 33-year-old Varsha — died following Caesarean section deliveries at the Maternal and Child Health Unit of Bundi District Hospital in Rajasthan, prompting the closure of the facility's Operation Theatre and the constitution of two high-level inquiry teams, officials said on Friday, 18 September 2026. The deaths occurred across two consecutive days — Wednesday and Thursday — and the official cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
What Happened at Bundi District Hospital
According to preliminary information, four women underwent Caesarean deliveries at the district hospital over Wednesday and Thursday. All four reportedly developed post-operative complications and were referred to other hospitals for further treatment. Of the four, two did not survive. Kavita died while receiving treatment at a private hospital following her referral, while Varsha died during treatment after being referred the following day.
Preliminary information has raised the possibility of complications involving urinary retention and kidney failure, but officials have not confirmed whether these conditions were responsible for the deaths. Investigators are examining whether the deterioration was linked to the surgeries, medicines administered, or other treatment-related factors.
Operation Theatre Shut, Samples Collected
As a precautionary measure, the district hospital's Operation Theatre has been closed pending the outcome of the investigation. Caesarean sections and other surgical procedures will not be performed there during this period. A dedicated team has been dispatched to collect samples, and the inquiry is expected to cover the Operation Theatre environment, medicines, medical equipment, and related procedures.
Additional District Collector H.D. Singh visited the hospital following reports of the deaths. He met with doctors, Operation Theatre staff, and Principal Medical Officer (PMO) N.L. Meena to gather details about the cases, including the treatment provided, the post-surgical deterioration, and the circumstances surrounding the referrals.
Two High-Level Teams Constituted
Authorities have constituted two separate high-level inquiry teams — one from the Health Department and one from the district administration — to examine all aspects of the cases. Their review will cover the surgeries performed, treatment provided, medicines administered, and complications reported after the procedures.
PMO N.L. Meena said the matter is being treated seriously and that the actual causes of death will be established only after the investigation and medical examination are completed. The inquiry by both teams is currently underway.
Why This Incident Has Raised Concern
The fact that all four women who underwent C-sections at the same facility over two consecutive days suffered post-operative deterioration — and two died — has drawn attention to the hospital's surgical protocols, theatre conditions, and post-operative care infrastructure. This comes amid broader concerns about the state of public maternal health facilities in smaller districts across Rajasthan. India's maternal mortality ratio, while declining, remains unevenly distributed, with district-level hospitals in non-metro areas often under-resourced for managing surgical complications.
The incident underscores the need for rigorous post-operative monitoring in public hospitals, particularly in facilities performing a high volume of C-sections. The outcomes of the investigation are expected to determine whether systemic or procedural changes are required at the Bundi facility.