Mystery Surrounds Postpartum Deaths in Kota Hospitals
A week after the first cases surfaced, the cause behind four postpartum deaths and an infection that sickened ten women in government hospitals in Kota remains unascertained. Two patients continue to be on life support, while two others have been shifted to the general ward. A fresh state-level team inspected the hospitals on Monday where the deaths and infections were reported.
Root Cause Elusive
Dr. Nilesh Jain, principal of New Medical College (NMCH), stated, "So far, the root cause of the deaths and infection has not been identified. We are unable to pinpoint where it is occurring and why. A local committee and a team of experts from Jaipur are investigating the matter." A source in the state drug department indicated that medicines were unlikely to be responsible, as the same drugs were being used in other hospitals without similar incidents. The source suggested the infection may have originated within the Kota hospital itself.
Current Condition of Affected Women
At the Super Speciality Block (SSB), two postpartum women who were shifted from JK Lon Hospital on Saturday remained critical and were on life support on Monday, according to NMCH additional principal Dr. RP Meena. Four other postnatal women who were shifted from NMCH's SSB last week after their condition suddenly deteriorated are also being monitored. "Of them, two were moved to the general ward after showing improvement, one was stable, and one remained critical," Meena said, adding that the improved patients were still not completely out of danger.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident, and further updates are expected as the probe progresses.
