Jodhpur: In a turn of events that resembles the further spread of an infection that has already afflicted new mothers in Kota and Bikaner district hospitals since May, eight women in Jodhpur developed serious post-operative complications Monday following caesarean deliveries at the Paota District Hospital.Similar post-caesarean complications were earlier observed at a govt hospital in Kota, leading to the death of five women last month, and in Bikaner, where two new mothers died last week.Six of the eight women in Jodhpur are currently being treated at the same facility, while the remaining two were transferred to MDM Hospital and AIIMS Jodhpur, respectively, with serious complications.Following the incident, the state govt initiated a high-level inquiry. The gynaecology operation theatre at Paota District Hospital has been shut down indefinitely, and all surgeries put on hold until the investigation concludes.The eight caesarean sections in question were all performed on the morning of June 20. Shortly thereafter, the women began to exhibit various complications, including bleeding, low blood pressure, high fever and abdominal pain.Initial assessments of Monday’s Jodhpur episode revealed that six of the eight women developed septicaemia, while two others contracted severe kidney infections and were subsequently referred to MDM Hospital. Of the two, one whose condition worsened was later referred to AIIMS Jodhpur, where she remains under intensive care.The condition of all six women currently being treated at Paota District Hospital has been reported to be stable.Jodhpur district collector Alok Ranjan visited the hospital Monday to assess the situation and subsequently held a meeting with officials. “No negligence has been found at the staff level prima facie,” he said. “A high-level inquiry into the entire incident is underway, however, and administrative action will be taken based on the investigation report,” he added.The DC said blood and urine samples from all eight women, together with samples of surgical instruments, medications, IV fluids and other materials used in the operation theatre, have been sent to SN Medical College and the Rajasthan Drug Control Department for testing.SN Medical College principal B S Jodha confirmed that culture samples from operation theatre equipment and surfaces were collected for chemical analysis, along with medicines and consumables.He added that the two women who were referred out of Paota District Hospital had severe kidney infections, with one suffering excessive bleeding and the other facing additional complications related to diabetes, anaemia and low blood pressure.“Around 40 caesarean deliveries are performed here every month, but such an incident has never been reported in the past 10 years,” said Paota District Hospital principal medical officer Kulbir Singh Chopra.
