What happened
On the night of May 4-5, 2026, at least six women developed life-threatening complications within 8-10 hours of caesarean deliveries at Kota's New Medical Hospital — part of the Government Medical College. Blood pressure collapsed, platelet counts plummeted, kidneys failed. Two women died: Payal, 26, from Bhainsrorgarh in Chittorgarh, and Jyoti, 20, who was placed on a ventilator before dying on May 8. At least 12-13 women had undergone C-sections in the same overnight window. The Rajasthan Drug Control Department, demonstrating institutional agility, banned all medicines used in the procedures mid-investigation — while other patients were still receiving treatment in the same ICU. A four-specialist emergency team was flown in from Jaipur. The cause of the mass complication remains under probe, the medicines are banned, and New Medical Hospital continues to function.