Jaipur, June 20 -- Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot has written to chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma seeking strict action over the deaths of women after childbirth and kidney failure cases reported among several patients at government hospitals in Kota and Bikaner. Calling the incidents a case of "institutional failure" of the state healthcare system, Gehlot demanded criminal action against those responsible, immediate compensation for victims' families and public disclosure of investigation reports. In his letter, Gehlot said he personally visited Kota on June 17 and met affected women undergoing treatment and their family members. He described the situation at New Medical College Hospital as "heart-rending", saying the victims belonged to poor families who had placed their trust in the government healthcare system. He alleged that preliminary investigations had pointed to negligence in treatment. While doctors have not publicly identified the exact reasons behind the deaths, media reports and expert opinions have raised concerns about the quality of medicines supplied through government channels, unhygienic conditions in sensitive hospital areas, possible infections and lapses in medical care. He further claimed that five other women remain admitted to the hospital with severe kidney damage and are undergoing dialysis one to three times a week. Most of the affected families are financially weak and have been struggling to manage prolonged treatment, he said. The former chief minister also referred to reports suggesting that a team from AIIMS had raised concerns about a possible infection in the operation theatre, a finding he said contradicted claims made by the hospital administration. Similar issues, he alleged, have emerged at PBM Hospital in Bikaner, where five women reportedly suffered kidney failure after delivery. Preliminary findings there pointed to poor sanitation near operation theatres, infection-related concerns and the absence of a dedicated ICU for the gynaecology department. Gehlot argued that since the same medicines were being used in private hospitals without leading to similar complications, the incidents reflected a broader failure in the management of government healthcare facilities rather than isolated medical accidents. Expressing concern over the handling of the investigations, Gehlot said reports prepared by AIIMS and state government teams had reportedly been completed but were yet to be made public. The government had a responsibility to disclose whether the deaths and complications were caused by medicines, treatment protocols, patient care or operation theatre hygiene, he said. Without making the findings public, neither justice could be delivered to victims nor future tragedies prevented. The Congress leader demanded immediate suspension of officials and doctors found responsible and registration of criminal cases against them. He also sought the release of all inquiry reports and urged the government to expedite forensic laboratory testing by sending samples outside Rajasthan if necessary. Gehlot further called for immediate financial assistance from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to families of deceased women and those whose relatives remain hospitalised. He demanded that the state government guarantee full funding for kidney transplants and lifelong treatment if the affected women suffer permanent kidney damage. The former chief minister also urged the government to seek advice from specialists at AIIMS Delhi and leading hospitals in Mumbai and transfer patients there if required. In addition, he called for a statewide review of infection-control protocols in operation theatres across government hospitals and sought a public assurance that hospitals in Kota and Bikaner are safe for expectant mothers....