Kota Hospitals: Doctors, Nurses Suspended Amid Deaths

The Rajasthan government has suspended two additional doctors and nursing officers in Kota, bringing the total number of suspended medical staff to four. These actions are in response to the deaths of four women who underwent caesarean sections at government hospitals. Several other patients are critically ill following similar procedures. Professors Badrilal and Khushboo Meena from New Medical College Hospital (NMCH), and nursing officers Pinki Khinchi and Meenakshi Meena from J K Lon Hospital and NMCH respectively, were suspended for alleged treatment and supervision negligence. Show-cause notices have also been issued to the superintendents of both hospitals. A high-level meeting, chaired by Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla, led to the announcement that an expert team from AIIMS Delhi will investigate the deaths and infections. This team will evaluate infection control, surgical practices, and hospital management to recommend reforms and new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The Principal Secretary (Health) emphasized the strict adherence to SOPs for hospital procedures, blood transfusions, patient treatment, and protocols in critical care units.