Jaipur, May 14 (IANS) Rajasthan Health and Medical Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar stated that investigations into the Kota maternal health incident are being conducted on three major fronts: examination of medicines administered to patients, inspection of operation theatres and medical equipment for possible infections, and scrutiny of treatment protocols and patient monitoring systems.
He informed that laboratory reports on possible contamination of medicines, equipment, and related materials are expected within 2 to 3 weeks.
Khimsar was in Kota on Thursday, where he said the state government is treating the deaths and deteriorating health of expectant mothers in Kota with utmost seriousness and has ordered a comprehensive investigation from every possible angle to determine the actual cause of the incident.
He announced that a team from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, will visit Kota on Saturday to conduct a detailed and impartial inquiry into the matter.
Addressing the media after inspecting healthcare facilities at the New Medical College Hospital and J.K. Lon Hospital in Kota, the minister described the incident as “deeply distressing and unfortunate” and emphasised that the government is ensuring a prompt, sensitive, and transparent probe.
“The true causes of this incident can only be ascertained once the final report is received. Action will be taken strictly in accordance with the findings of the report,” he said, adding that negligence at any level in healthcare services would not be tolerated.
Khimsar stated that investigations are being conducted on three major fronts: the examination of medicines administered to patients; inspections of operating theatres and medical equipment for possible infections; and scrutiny of treatment protocols and patient monitoring systems.
Laboratory reports regarding possible contamination in medicines, equipment, and related materials are expected within two to three weeks.
He further informed that doctors and nursing staff involved in treatment and monitoring have been suspended on a prima facie basis, considering the gravity of the matter.
However, he clarified that no innocent individual would be punished, and that strict action would be taken only against those found guilty after the inquiry.
Khimsar said that the Health Department has now directed all medical institutions to strictly implement Standard Operating Procedures, ensure regular sterilisation, maintain proper protocols for medicine storage, and strengthen monitoring systems to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
During his visit, the minister met admitted expectant mothers and their families at both hospitals and assured them that the state government would ensure there was no shortcoming in treatment and medical care.
Among those present during the visit were Kota South MLA Sandeep Sharma, Ladpura MLA Kalpana Devi, Divisional Commissioner Anil Kumar Agarwal, District Collector Piyush Samariya, Kota Medical College Principal Dr Nilesh Jain, J.K. Lon Hospital Superintendent Dr Nirmala Sharma, and New Medical College Hospital Superintendent Dr Ashutosh Sharma, along with other senior officials.
–IANS
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