Jaipur: Health Department Admits 14 Deaths in Rajasthan Hospitals Due to Negligence and Wrong Blood Transfusions
The Rajasthan health department presented a sobering report to the state assembly on Thursday, revealing that 14 people lost their lives between January 2023 and December 2025 due to lapses in government hospitals. The department specifically acknowledged 12 fatalities attributed to staff negligence across the state and two separate deaths caused by the transfusion of the wrong blood group at Jaipur's prestigious Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital.
Accountability and Compensation Lacking Despite Admissions
In a concerning revelation, the health department stated that no compensation has been provided to the families of any victims in the negligence cases. Furthermore, the official reply indicated that disciplinary proceedings against identified staff members are largely pending or "in progress," highlighting significant delays in administrative action even after fatal incidents.
This critical information was submitted in response to questions raised by BJP MLA Pratap Singh Singhvi, shedding light on systemic issues within the state's healthcare infrastructure.
Detailed Cases of Wrong Blood Transfusion at SMS Hospital
The department's district-wise reply provided harrowing details of the two wrong-blood-transfusion cases at SMS Hospital:
- Sachin Sharma, a 23-year-old from Dausa, was admitted as a road accident victim under the trauma and orthopedics department. He tragically succumbed on February 23, 2024, after receiving an incompatible blood transfusion.
- Chaina Devi, also 23, from Badagaon in Tonk district, died in May 2025 while in critical condition on a ventilator in the medicine department, with her death directly linked to a wrong blood group transfusion.
Disparate Disciplinary Actions in Transfusion Deaths
Regarding accountability in Sachin Sharma's case, the state government issued charge-sheets under CCA Rule 16 on March 7, 2024, against three medical professionals:
- Dr. Daulatram, then first resident in the transfusion medicine department
- Dr. Rishabh Chalana, then first-year resident in the orthopedics department
- Ashok Kumar Verma, then nursing officer in Polytrauma Ward No. 113 at SMS Hospital
However, for Chaina Devi's death, the assembly reply did not mention any disciplinary action against hospital staff, despite explicitly attributing her demise to the wrong blood transfusion. This discrepancy raises serious questions about consistent accountability measures.
Statewide Negligence Cases: Delayed Proceedings and Limited Action
For the 12 deaths attributed to negligence across Rajasthan government hospitals, the department confirmed that accused staff have been identified. Yet, the status of disciplinary actions reveals a pattern of delay:
- In nine cases, disciplinary proceedings remain "in progress."
- Only one doctor has been suspended so far.
- Charge-sheets under CCA Rule 16 have been served in just two cases.
The reply further stated that action has been initiated against 34 staff members linked to such incidents. However, case-wise proceedings in most matters remain incomplete, and the lack of compensation compounds the families' distress.
Silver Lining: No Deaths from Fake or Substandard Medicines
Amid these grim admissions, the health department provided one positive note to the assembly. It confirmed that there were no fatalities due to the use of fake or substandard medicines in Rajasthan government hospitals during the same three-year period from January 2023 to December 2025.
This comprehensive assembly reply underscores urgent needs for:
- Expedited disciplinary proceedings in negligence cases
- Transparent and consistent accountability mechanisms
- Timely compensation for affected families
- Systemic reforms to prevent such tragic lapses
The revelations have sparked calls for stronger oversight and reform within Rajasthan's public healthcare system to restore public trust and ensure patient safety.
