The Rajasthan state government has not initiated any disciplinary action against doctors, officials, or staff at Bikaner's PBM Hospital following the death of one woman and another falling into a coma due to childbirth-related complications at the government facility.
Five women affected, one dead
Five women reportedly developed serious complications after delivery at the hospital. One has died, two remain under treatment, and two others have been discharged. Hospital authorities stated that the cause of the complications has not yet been established.
Sharda, the most critical survivor, underwent a caesarean section at PBM Hospital on June 4. Her condition worsened after her urine output stopped completely, and she was shifted to the Medicine ICU, where she is on dialysis. She is comatose and remains on ventilator support. Another woman had also been put on ventilator support in the ICU before her death.
Hospital response and investigation
PBM Hospital superintendent Dr. BC Ghiya told Times of India that Sharda's condition was critical and doctors were providing the “best possible treatment”. He said the cause of complications in the five patients was still unknown.
A committee has been set up to investigate the episode. Samples of 31 drugs used in the treatment of the affected women have been collected from PBM Hospital and sent for quality testing. The reports are awaited.
Similar incidents in other hospitals
The Bikaner death is a stark reminder of a spate of deaths under similar circumstances at JK Lon and Kota Medical College Hospital last month, where the BJP government was unable to identify the cause of death. State health minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar asserted that an existing report furnished by medical teams from AIIMS Delhi, SMS Hospital in Jaipur, and Kota Medical College will be sent for additional medical reviews.
TOI reported earlier that the probe report was submitted without receiving an evaluation of the efficacy of the drugs used in the treatment of the deceased women, rendering its findings redundant.
Political backlash and protests
The incident in Bikaner has triggered political backlash and renewed questions over accountability in state-run hospitals. Congress leaders, led by former minister BD Kalla, staged a protest at the Bikaner hospital on Saturday and demanded immediate action against those responsible.
