Jaipur, Jul 13 (PTI) Rajasthan Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar on Monday said the state government is sensitive and concerned about recent maternal deaths, attributing them to multiple medical complications such as anaemia, hypertension, postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) and nutritional deficiencies.
Chairing a meeting with gynaecology experts at the Swasthya Bhawan here, Khimsar said the cases reported from Kota, Bikaner, Bhilwara and Banswara largely involved high-risk patients referred from other locations to government hospitals.
“In these cases, causes such as anaemia, high blood pressure, PPH and nutrition-related issues have been identified. These were referred cases and each had different medical complications,” he said.
Citing expert opinion, he said severe hypertension can lead to critical conditions such as liver and kidney failure.
“Unfortunately, a series of such incidents occurred one after another,” he added.
Recently, five maternal deaths were reported in Bhilwara and four, including a minor, in Banswara.
Khimsar, however, highlighted that maternal mortality in the state has shown a declining trend in recent years.
“Maternal deaths have reduced from 1,094 in 2023-24 to 986 in 2024-25 and further to 824 in 2025-26, reflecting a decline of about 25 per cent during the present government’s tenure,” he said.
He expressed concern over multiple deaths occurring within a short span and said each case is being taken seriously.
“The government is making efforts to further strengthen maternal healthcare services,” he said.
Drawing a comparison with past incidents, the minister said that in 2011, 18 maternal deaths were reported in Jodhpur within three days due to a common cause, while eight deaths occurred in Jaipur during 2011-12 in a similar sequence.
“However, the recent cases do not have a single common cause. All patients were high-risk and each case had a different reason,” he said.
During the meeting, Khimsar reviewed individual cases with doctors from Mahatma Gandhi hospitals in Banswara and Bhilwara through video conferencing, and also held detailed discussions with officials from Bikaner and Kota.
Describing the situation as challenging for the department, he directed strict adherence to medical protocols and effective monitoring of antenatal care (ANC).
He also stressed the need to prevent hospital infections and improve coordination in referral cases.
“Doctors at higher centres should act as mentors for those at referring facilities so that the number of high-risk referrals can be reduced,” he said.
The minister further directed senior doctors to conduct field visits and strengthen monitoring of services provided by ASHA workers, ANMs and other healthcare staff. PTI AG KSS KSS
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