A 36-year-old woman died in Kota after developing severe lung and kidney infections, urine blockage and multi-organ failure following a caesarean delivery at JK Lon Hospital, according to hospital officials cited by the Times of India. Her death is the latest reported maternal fatality linked to post-caesarean complications in government hospitals in the city.
The woman, identified as Priti, underwent the procedure on November 8 after being referred to JK Lon Hospital from Indergarh Hospital in Bundi. She had initially gone to Indergarh for delivery during labour. Relatives said her condition worsened soon after the caesarean section, following which she was moved to MBS Hospital on November 10 as her condition deteriorated.
JK Lon Hospital Superintendent Dr Nirmala Sharma said Priti had been admitted on the afternoon of November 8 with a full-term pregnancy and a history of one previous caesarean section. Her blood pressure was recorded at 160/100 mmHg at admission, although the hospital said earlier antenatal records from Indergarh, Itawa and Sawai Madhopur did not document high blood pressure.
According to Dr Sharma, tests conducted on November 9 showed a rapid deterioration in liver function. Her bilirubin level rose from 1 to 9 and then to 11 by the evening, accompanied by deep jaundice. The hospital said she subsequently developed multi-organ involvement and was shifted to MBS Hospital on November 10 for further treatment.
At MBS Hospital, doctors described her condition as critical, with progressive dysfunction affecting her liver and kidneys. She was recommended for transfer to the super speciality block of New Medical College Hospital on Thursday, but died before the transfer could take place. Dr Deepti Sharma, the treating physician at MBS Hospital, confirmed the death during treatment.
The latest death has renewed concern over maternal outcomes in government hospitals in Kota. The Times of India reported that infections following caesarean deliveries had claimed at least five mothers in May and four in October in government hospitals in the city. The report did not provide details of any official investigation or finding establishing a common cause across those deaths.
Priti’s case involved multiple institutions across Bundi and Kota, including the referring hospital, the caesarean facility and the hospital where she received treatment after her condition worsened. The hospitals’ statements identify high blood pressure at admission, rapidly worsening liver parameters, kidney involvement and multi-organ dysfunction in the treatment timeline. Further official action or findings concerning the reported deaths were not stated in the available report.
