The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has initiated an inquiry into a complaint alleging the death of women and cases of kidney failure following Caesarean deliveries at government hospitals in Rajasthan, notably the Prince Bijay Singh Memorial (PBM) Hospital in Bikaner. NHRC Member Priyank Kanoongo’s Bench issued notices to several officials, including the Bikaner Chief Medical Officer and the Rajasthan Medical, Health and Family Welfare Department’s Principal Secretary, to investigate the claims and provide an Action Taken Report within two weeks.
Under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, the NHRC has the authority to investigate alleged human rights violations. Patients who underwent C-section deliveries are reported to have developed kidney failure, requiring ventilator support and daily dialysis. Allegations suggest medical negligence, contaminated medicines, or serious treatment and administrative lapses as possible causes.
The complainant, citing media reports, urged the NHRC to conduct an independent high-level inquiry, take strict action against responsible officials, compensate affected families, and implement measures to prevent such incidents in the future. NHRC, after reviewing the complaint, found the allegations to potentially violate the victims’ human rights. The apex human rights body has instructed relevant authorities, including the National Medical Commission, to probe the allegations and furnish a detailed Action Taken Report within two weeks.
