Bikaner, June 10 -- Six women developed severe medical complications after Caesarean deliveries at PBM Hospital in Bikaner over a two-week period, with several suffering acute kidney injury and multiple organ dysfunction and one remaining critically ill in the intensive care unit, people aware of the matter said. According to the people, the women, aged between 20 and 27, developed complications shortly after undergoing Caesarean surgeries in the hospital's maternity wing. Some of the patients suffered acute kidney injury (AKI), excessive bleeding, severe infections, low platelet counts and multiple organ dysfunction. The affected women were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), while some required dialysis after their kidneys stopped functioning properly. The incident comes barely a month after five women died following C-section deliveries at a government hospital in Kota, prompting scrutiny of maternal healthcare practices across the state. PBM Hospital superintendent Dr Bhikham Chand Ghiya, however, rejected comparisons with the Kota incident. Speaking to HT, he said there was "nothing similar to Kota" in the Bikaner case. "Three of the patients had already been under treatment for an extended period due to pre-existing complications, while another patient had been referred to PBM Hospital from a different medical centre in critical condition. Only one patient admitted through the hospital's maternity wing required ICU care," said Dr Ghhiya. Dr Ghiya further maintained that the patients had not suffered any post-operative or injection-related complications and that all cases were currently under medical review. Meanwhile, Ummed Singh Ratnu, additional district magistrate (Administration), told HT that five of the affected women had recovered and only one patient remained admitted in the ICU. He said the administration had sought a factual report from PBM Hospital to ascertain the exact cause behind the complications. Vishram Meena, divisional commissioner and chairman of the Medical Relief Society that oversees PBM Hospital, did not respond to calls or messages seeking comment. Among the most critical cases was that of Preeti (20) from Phalodi, who was placed on ventilator support. Doctors suspected HELLP syndrome-a life-threatening pregnancy-related disorder often associated with high blood pressure. Medical records indicated that she suffered seizures after delivery and subsequently developed lung complications, acute kidney injury and oxygen deprivation-related neurological complications. Tara Devi (27) developed acute kidney injury along with severe anaemia and elevated potassium levels. Doctors also reported fluid accumulation around her lungs, necessitating intensive monitoring. Sharda (26) reportedly suffered acute kidney injury and severe platelet-related complications that affected blood clotting, increasing the risk of internal bleeding. Rahila (19) developed excessive post-delivery bleeding and later suffered severe infection, low platelet count, acute kidney injury and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, a condition in which multiple organs begin to fail simultaneously. Another patient, Imarti (20), battled severe blood infection, kidney failure and multiple organ complications. Hospital officials described her condition as critical during treatment. Family members alleged that the seriousness of the complications was not immediately communicated to them and claimed there were delays in shifting critically ill patients for advanced treatment and dialysis support. Jubaida Bano, a relative of Rahila, alleged that the patient suffered continuous bleeding after delivery and was shifted to intensive care only after her condition worsened significantly. "We were told everything was normal after the operation, but later her condition suddenly became critical," she said. Lekhram, husband of Imarti, claimed that his wife complained of severe weakness and discomfort soon after surgery, but her condition continued to deteriorate. Relatives of Preeti and Tara Devi made similar allegations, saying the women developed serious complications despite initially being declared stable after delivery. The families have demanded a detailed inquiry and action if any negligence is found. Responding to the allegations, Dr Santosh Khajotia, head of department at PBM Hospital, said infection alone may not explain the kidney failure cases. "Excessive blood loss during or after surgery can also lead to such complications. A detailed medical investigation has been initiated to determine the exact cause," she said. Medical experts noted similarities between the Bikaner cases and those reported earlier in Kota, where several women developed kidney-related complications within hours of Caesarean deliveries. In many of those cases, patients reportedly experienced sudden drops in blood pressure, urinary complications, falling platelet counts and severe infections within 8 to 10 hours of surgery. Several required dialysis and ventilator support, prompting the state government to constitute medical inquiry committees and specialised treatment teams....