AIIMS team visits Kota to probe maternal deaths, infections

Kota: A seven-member high-level medical expert committee constituted by the Union Health Ministry arrived in Kota Saturday to investigate the deaths of four women following C-section deliveries and infections reported among eight other postnatal women at the govt-run New Medical College Hospital (NMCH) and JK Lon Hospital earlier this week.The team, comprising six doctors from Delhi AIIMS and one specialist from AIIMS Jodhpur, inspected JK Lon Hospital, NMCH and the Super Specialty Block (SSB) as part of its inquiry. The committee also examined hospital records related to the cases.The committee was formed after Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla discussed the matter with the Union health minister and sought a detailed review of the incidents.The expert team, led by Delhi AIIMS gynaecologist Dr Rita Mahe, included Dr Asuri Krishna (surgery), Dr Kaigandeep Singh (microbiology), Dr Dalim Vaidya (anaesthesia), Dr Ankit Verma (paediatrics), Dr Angel Ranjan Singh (hospital administration) and Dr Manisha Jhirwal, a gynaecologist from AIIMS Jodhpur."The team thoroughly examined the records of the two women who died in the hospital, including nursing records, medical test reports, patient history and the treatment provided by doctors," JK Lon Hospital superintendent Nirmala Sharma said.According to hospital officials, the team reviewed the functioning of operation theatres (OTs), standard operating procedures (SOPs), infection-control mechanisms, nursing protocols and other medical practices being followed at the hospitals. Officials said fresh SOPs would also be developed to strengthen patient safety and improve healthcare services.The team first visited JK Lon Hospital, where members inspected the labour room, operation theatre, hospital complex and post-operative ward. They examined OT procedures, nursing care practices and labour room arrangements.The committee later visited NMCH, where doctors inspected the post-gynaecology ward and interacted with hospital staff to gather information on patient care and treatment protocols.The team also reviewed facilities at the operation theatre and Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) before proceeding to the Super Specialty Block. At SSB, the doctors met patients undergoing treatment and sought details from medical staff regarding their condition and ongoing care.The visit comes amid growing concern over maternal deaths and reports of serious health complications among women treated at Kota's govt medical facilities.