Rajasthan Maternal Death Toll Rises to 19 as Another Woman Dies After C-Section Complications

Rajasthan's maternal health system has once again come under scrutiny after a 25-year-old woman died following complications after a Caesarean delivery at PBM Hospital in Bikaner , taking the maternal death toll in the state to 19 over the past three months .

The woman, Kamla Meghwal , had been undergoing treatment for more than a month before she died on Tuesday. Hospital authorities said she was admitted to the intensive care unit on June 8 . A diabetic and in her third pregnancy , she underwent a medically necessary Caesarean section because of her previous two C-sections. Doctors said both the mother and her newborn were initially stable after delivery.

However, her condition deteriorated the following day when she developed serious complications and required dialysis after her urine output stopped. Although her health showed temporary improvement and ventilator support was withdrawn, she later underwent another surgery related to her C-section stitches. Her condition worsened due to multiple organ failure , and despite prolonged treatment by a team of specialists, she could not be saved. Her newborn remains stable.

Kamla's death is the third maternal fatality at PBM Hospital in recent weeks . Earlier, 20-year-old Preeti and 26-year-old Sharda also died after suffering similar complications following childbirth. Hospital officials noted that all three women experienced stoppage of urine output within 24 hours of surgery , raising concerns over the pattern of post-delivery complications.

According to official data, five maternal deaths have been reported from Kota, three from Bikaner, two from Jodhpur, and nine from Bhilwara and Banswara during the last three months.

Amid mounting concern, the Rajasthan government has announced a five-day statewide screening campaign for pregnant women beginning July 15 . The initiative will focus on comprehensive antenatal health checks and regular monitoring of expectant mothers in an effort to identify high-risk pregnancies early and reduce maternal mortality across the state.

Health officials said records of key medical examinations will be maintained during the drive to strengthen maternal healthcare services and prevent further tragedies.