Rajasthan maternal death mystery: Why 18 mothers have died since May, what probe teams have found, and what grieving families say

A fresh wave of maternal deaths in Rajasthan has once again placed the spotlight on the state's public healthcare system, with nine women dying in government hospitals in Bhilwara and Banswara within six days.

The latest fatalities have pushed the number of maternal deaths reported from government hospitals in five Rajasthan districts since May to 18.

As per a TOI report, while Rajasthan is facing repeated deaths linked to childbirth and post-operative complications, Mumbai and Delhi present different maternal healthcare challenges. Mumbai continues to grapple with a high number of complex referral cases, while Delhi has reported improving newborn survival but a rise in maternal mortality despite a sharp increase in institutional deliveries.

Rajasthan records nine maternal deaths in six days

Between July 5 and July 10, five women died at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Bhilwara, while four women, including a minor girl, died at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Banswara.

These deaths follow similar incidents reported earlier this year in Kota, Bikaner and Jodhpur, taking the total number of maternal deaths reported across the five districts to 18 since May.

Following the latest incidents, the Rajasthan government deployed specialist medical teams from Jaipur to Bhilwara and Banswara to investigate the circumstances surrounding each death.

Bhilwara deaths under medical review

Among those who died in Bhilwara were three women who had undergone caesarean deliveries, one pregnant woman and another patient who had undergone planned gynaecological surgery.

Officials said several of the women had severe anaemia and underlying health conditions.

Bhilwara Chief Medical and Health Officer Arun Gaud said the deaths appeared to involve multiple medical factors rather than a single cause.

A six-member committee of senior doctors has been constituted to review every case.

As per a TOI report, Pooja Gangrade, Principal of Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Medical College, said a detailed review of the deaths had been carried out.

"A micro-level discussion was held on the reasons for the deaths… and the conclusion was that, prima facie, two deaths were due to cardiac arrest and the third due to lung problems. The fourth pregnant woman did not undergo any operation."

Banswara probe focuses on medical complications

A separate inquiry is underway in neighbouring Banswara after four women died between July 7 and July 10.

The district administration formed a five-member enquiry committee after two women died shortly after childbirth on July 10.

Officials said both women reportedly suffered from severe anaemia and high blood pressure.

TOI quoted Banswara District Collector Indrajit Yadav as saying, "So far, no issue, such as a reaction to medicines, has come to light."

One of the victims was an unmarried minor whose condition reportedly worsened during an abortion in a rural area before she was shifted to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in critical condition.

Banswara Chief Medical and Health Officer Khushpal Singh Rathore said preliminary findings suggested the deaths were linked to existing medical complications.

Health minister rules out common cause

Rajasthan Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar said specialist teams were examining treatment protocols, infection control, operation theatre standards, medicines, medical equipment and post-operative care.

Calling the deaths "extremely sad and unfortunate", he said the investigations would be conducted transparently.

The minister also rejected allegations that a common operation theatre infection had caused the deaths in Bhilwara.

According to the health department's preliminary findings, the reported causes include myocardial infarction, hypovolaemic shock, pulmonary thromboembolism, HELLP syndrome associated with severe pregnancy-induced hypertension, and postpartum haemorrhage with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

Khimsar also said Operation Theatre No. 2 at Bhilwara Hospital had been closed after a culture report returned positive on June 30 and had not been used for surgeries since then.

Kota investigation yet to be made public

The latest controversy comes as the findings of an earlier inquiry into maternal deaths in Kota remain unpublished.

Five women died between May 5 and May 17 after undergoing caesarean deliveries at New Medical College Hospital in Kota.

The investigation was conducted jointly by experts from AIIMS Delhi, SMS Medical College Jaipur and Kota Medical College.

Although the report has been submitted to the Rajasthan government, Khimsar said it would undergo further review by senior gynaecologists before being released publicly.

He said the investigation pointed to multiple medical and procedural factors rather than a single cause.

The delay has triggered demands for greater transparency from victims' families and opposition leaders.

Opposition attacks Rajasthan government

The latest deaths have intensified political criticism of the BJP government. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot described the situation as "alarming" and alleged serious negligence after reports claimed caesarean surgeries continued despite a positive infection report from an operation theatre.

He also questioned the availability of surgical equipment at Bhilwara Hospital and urged the Union Health Ministry to send an expert team to review government hospitals across Rajasthan.

In a post on X, Gehlot wrote: "Has the BJP govt left Rajasthan to God's mercy? Such incidents coming to light one after another show that the state govt is not bothered by all this."

Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully described Rajasthan's healthcare system as being "on ventilator" and demanded accountability from Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.

Rashtriya Loktantrik Party chief Hanuman Beniwal also criticised the health department, questioning whether its role had been reduced to issuing statements.

Families seek accountability

For many families, official investigations have provided little comfort.

Relatives of women who died in government hospitals in Kota, Bhilwara, Bikaner, Jodhpur and Banswara have alleged negligence and demanded an independent investigation, compensation and stricter safeguards to prevent similar incidents.

TOI quoted Manish Pandey, whose wife Isha Pandey died after a caesarean delivery at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Bhilwara, as saying: "I pleaded with the doctors for care, but my pleas were ignored. Doctors do not even visit patients for care outside of their duty rounds. The care of pregnant and new mothers is left to the nurses."

In Bikaner, Heera Lal, whose daughter Sharda died after complications following a caesarean delivery, said the family never received a clear explanation.

"For three days, she was conscious. After that, she never opened her eyes and was declared dead."

In Kota, Pawan Malviya, whose wife Payal died after delivering their first child, recalled several women in the same ward developing similar complications.

"Babies were born, but first my wife was rushed to the ICU, and then other women too. Five died. It was frightening."

Another grieving husband, Ravi Nayak, alleged negligence in the treatment of his wife Jyoti Verma, saying families still had no clear answers about the deaths.

Mumbai faces different maternal healthcare pressures

While Rajasthan investigates repeated maternal deaths, Mumbai is dealing with a different challenge.

Data obtained through the Right to Information Act shows neonatal and infant mortality has steadily declined, but maternal mortality has remained inconsistent.

Between 2022 and 2024, Mumbai recorded between 70 and 93 maternal deaths annually, with 325 maternal deaths reported over four years.

Health officials say nearly half of these women were referred from neighbouring districts, including Thane and Palghar, after developing severe complications.

Doctors say many patients arrive at tertiary hospitals with advanced heart disease, placenta-related complications, severe haemorrhage and monsoon-related infections including leptospirosis, dengue, malaria and hepatitis.

According to The Times of India, gynaecologist Dr Nikhil Datar said many maternal deaths could be prevented through earlier referrals.

"Low-risk pregnancies are often managed by tertiary hospitals, both public and private, while high-risk pregnancies are sometimes handled by smaller maternity or nursing homes. Referrals to tertiary care centres, where there are enough resources to manage complications, often do not happen early enough because of various reasons. By the time the referral is made, it is frequently too late."

Delhi reports better newborn survival but rising maternal mortality

Delhi has reported significant improvements in newborn survival over the past decade, but maternal mortality has increased.

According to the Delhi State Indicator Framework: Status Report 2025, neonatal mortality fell from 15.8 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2015 to 14.1 in 2024.

However, the maternal mortality ratio increased from 37 to 44 deaths per one lakh live births during the same period, despite institutional deliveries rising from 84.4 per cent to 96.1 per cent.

Health experts say stronger antenatal care, better primary healthcare and improved postnatal monitoring remain essential.

According to TOI, Dr Sumit Chakravarty said: "We need better primary health care, timely antenatal care and quality postnatal follow-up care. There is a need for more sustained investment in maternal and child health, capacity building in workforce and infrastructure and equitable access to health services. Such deaths are preventable and could be substantially reduced through timely policy action and rapid implementation."

Maternal safety remains a national concern

Although Rajasthan, Mumbai and Delhi face different healthcare realities, the recent figures underline a common challenge, ensuring safe pregnancy and childbirth for every woman.

For affected families, however, investigations alone are not enough. They continue to seek accountability, transparency and systemic reforms that can help prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Inputs from TOI