Four women deaths reported from govt hospital in Rajasthan's Banswara; inquiry panel formed

Jaipur, Jul 11 (PTI) Four women, including a minor, died at a government hospital in Rajasthan's Banswara district over the past few days, prompting authorities to constitute a probe panel to ascertain the causes, officials said on Saturday. According to preliminary information, the deaths occurred at Mahatma Gandhi District Hospital between July 7 and 10, triggering concern within the health department. District Collector Dr Inderjeet Singh Yadav visited the hospital and held a review with officials, including the chief medical and health officer, to take stock of the situation. "Four maternal deaths have been reported between July 7 and 10. Two patients were brought in critical condition, while two cases involved caesarean procedures," Yadav said. He said a five-member committee of doctors has been constituted to conduct a detailed inquiry into the deaths. In one case, a girl was admitted in a serious condition following complications during an abortion procedure in a rural area and later died at the hospital, officials said. In two other cases, Laxmi, a resident of Savaniya, and Reshma from Akalkheda in Madhya Pradesh, are suspected to have died from severe anaemia, they said. Another woman, Leela from Kanela Gadhi, died during surgery, with preliminary findings indicating high blood pressure as a contributing factor. The district collector said no immediate signs of adverse drug reaction have emerged so far. "A five-doctor committee has been formed and a team from Jaipur is also arriving. The exact cause of deaths will be known after the report. If any lapse is found at any level, strict action will be taken against those responsible," Yadav said. He further said medical records are being examined and statements of hospital staff are being recorded as part of the probe. "The effort is to determine the exact cause of each death. The inquiry will be conducted with full transparency," he added. PTI AG ARB ARB