Five women from Rajasthan’s Kota, who developed severe kidney damage after undergoing Caesarean deliveries at the state-run New Medical College between May 5 and 7, have appealed to President Droupadi Murmu seeking urgent kidney transplants, adequate compensation and, if their demands cannot be met, permission for euthanasia.
The women allege that medical negligence and the use of suspected substandard medicines during or after their treatment left them dependent on regular dialysis. Their plea comes after repeated representations to local authorities failed to secure the relief they sought.
Hospital authorities, however, have denied negligence, saying the women are receiving free treatment under the Chief Minister Ayushman Scheme, remain medically stable and that it is too early under established medical protocols to determine whether kidney transplantation is necessary.
Investigations into the case are continuing as the incident raises wider questions about accountability, patient safety and long-term care in India’s public healthcare system.
Lives Changed After Childbirth
What was expected to be a routine childbirth has turned into a prolonged medical and emotional ordeal for five young mothers and their families. According to the women, they have undergone dozens of dialysis sessions over the past two months while remaining largely confined to hospital.
In a memorandum sent to the President through Speed Post, they requested immediate arrangements for kidney transplants and financial assistance, stating that if the government cannot restore their health, they should be allowed to “die with dignity” through euthanasia.
Their families say months of treatment have drained their savings, disrupted livelihoods and left newborn children growing up with mothers who are unable to return home. The women allege that counterfeit or substandard medicines administered during treatment caused irreversible kidney damage, although this allegation has not been established.
Responding to the claims, New Medical College principal Dr Nilesh Jain said all five patients are stable and continue to receive dialysis whenever medically required. He said doctors generally wait three to six months before deciding whether a transplant is necessary because kidney function can recover in some patients. Dr Jain also said the women could have continued dialysis as outpatients and that all treatment is being provided free of cost, urging them not to discontinue dialysis as doing so could endanger their lives.
An Investigation Still Underway
The case traces back to early May, when several women who underwent Caesarean deliveries at Kota’s New Medical College Hospital and JK Lon Hospital developed serious complications. Five women died during the broader episode, while two recovered and were discharged.
The remaining five continue to battle kidney-related complications, making their cases the focus of public concern and official investigations. The affected families argue that they repeatedly approached district authorities, health officials and the state government before escalating the matter to the President.
Their latest appeal followed the expiry of a 48-hour ultimatum seeking assurances for kidney transplants. Meanwhile, hospital authorities maintain that the cause of the kidney damage has not been conclusively established and reject allegations of medical negligence, insisting that treatment has followed accepted medical protocols while multiple inquiries examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The contrasting accounts underline why the investigation’s findings will be critical in determining both responsibility and future policy measures to prevent similar tragedies.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Behind the legal arguments and medical investigations are five mothers whose lives changed dramatically after seeking routine maternity care.
Their appeal is not only a plea for treatment but also a reflection of the despair that can emerge when patients feel unheard by institutions meant to protect them. Equally important is ensuring that allegations are investigated fairly and scientifically, without pre-judging healthcare professionals before due process is complete.
Public trust in healthcare depends on transparency, timely communication, compassionate patient care and credible accountability whenever serious complications occur. If systemic failures are found, they must be addressed decisively; if the allegations are disproved, that too should be communicated with clarity and evidence.
Beyond the outcome of this individual case, the episode highlights the need for stronger safeguards, better post-operative monitoring and sustained support for families facing catastrophic medical complications. As investigations continue, how can India’s healthcare system ensure that patients receive both justice and compassionate care without forcing desperate families to believe that their only remaining option is to appeal for the right to die?
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