Rajasthan Caesarean Deaths: Centre Seeks Report, WHO Examines Possible Oxytocin Connection

Last Updated:June 27, 2026, 12:13 IST

The Union Health Ministry has sought a report from Rajasthan after the WHO sought information on a possible link between spurious oxytocin and maternal deaths.

The Union Health Ministry has sought a detailed report from the Rajasthan government after several women developed complications following caesarean operations at government hospitals across the state, with some of the cases resulting in deaths.

According to an Indian Express report, the ministry sent a note to the Rajasthan government after the World Health Organization (WHO) sought information from the Indian government on the possible link between spurious oxytocin and the reported cases.

The WHO sought details to determine whether the issue was localised or more widespread, with potential risks at other locations.

The Centre’s move came after the Rajasthan government and the country’s top drug regulator cancelled the licences of a Kota-based wholesale distributor of oxytocin and two manufacturing units located in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, respectively.

Sources said inspections at these facilities uncovered widespread irregularities, including the absence of evidence of key drug purity tests and proof of data fudging.

Oxytocin is commonly used to induce labour before delivery and to help contract the uterus after childbirth to prevent excessive blood loss. Many of the women who died or developed complications in Rajasthan reportedly suffered severe blood loss.

In the latest incident, eight women who underwent caesarean sections at the District Government Hospital in Paota, Jodhpur, on June 20 fell ill after surgery. Two women who developed complications were shifted to AIIMS, Jodhpur, and all eight patients are now reported to be stable.

Before the Jodhpur incident, complications were reported following caesarean deliveries at PBM Hospital in Bikaner. Of the six women who developed kidney failure after surgery, two died.

The Bikaner cases followed an earlier and more severe episode in Kota, where five women died in May after undergoing caesarean deliveries at the New Medical Government Hospital. More than 40 days later, five other women remain hospitalised and continue to require dialysis after suffering kidney failure.

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