The cause of kidney-related complications in seven women following deliveries at Bikaner's PBM Hospital remains unclear, with an expert team from SN Medical College, Jodhpur, stating that culture test reports are still awaited. The team's final findings are expected within the next two to three days.
Update on Investigation
This update comes a day after Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar indicated that there was no prima facie evidence of medical negligence. However, doctors on the probe emphasized that conclusions should be withheld until all laboratory reports are available.
Dr. R S Jodha, principal of SN Medical College, said, "The culture reports are still awaited, and only after receiving them will we be able to reach a definitive conclusion. We have asked for additional samples from Bikaner and expect the final report to be ready within the next two to three days."
Possible Causes Under Examination
The expert team is investigating multiple possible causes, including extreme heat, which can sometimes promote bacterial growth. Dr. Jodha noted, "Patients suffering from anaemia, diabetes, hypertension, and other underlying ailments are generally more vulnerable to infections that may not significantly affect healthier individuals."
Investigators also highlighted that no similar complications have been reported among the large number of women who delivered, including via caesarean section, at PBM Hospital during the same period. "If there had been a common source of infection or a problem directly linked to the surgical procedure, we would have expected many more cases. So far, no similar cases have come to light," Dr. Jodha added.
Patient Condition and Recovery
Regarding the patients' condition, Dr. Jodha mentioned that one woman on ventilator support had pre-existing complications, while the others were recovering. "The kidney injury appears to be acute rather than chronic. Most patients are responding to treatment and, based on current assessments, should recover within a few weeks to a month," he said.
Additional Investigations
Separately, the Drug Control Department collected samples of 10 medicines, including Oxytocin injections, from PBM Hospital. Officials stated that conclusions would be drawn only after lab reports for the medicines and biological samples are received.
The seven women developed complications 10 to 15 days after delivery, with several requiring dialysis and intensive care. This has prompted multiple inquiries by state authorities and independent medical experts.
