Jaipur, July 13 -- The Rajasthan government on Sunday defended its maternal healthcare system amid mounting criticism over nine maternal deaths in Bhilwara and Banswara, with health minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar saying no clear evidence of medical negligence has emerged so far while assuring strict action if any lapse is established. Nine women, who underwent surgery in the obstetrics and gynaecology department at two government hospitals of Bhilwara and Banswara districts of Rajasthan, died over the past week, raising concerns over maternal healthcare and hospital practices and prompting the state government to order inquiries by expert teams. Khimsar's statement came as former chief minister Ashok Gehlot accused the government of failing to address what he described as a deepening public health crisis. Khimsar said the state reviews every maternal death to identify shortcomings and prevent similar incidents. Citing Sample Registration System (SRS) 2022-24 data, he said Rajasthan's maternal mortality ratio (MMR) has declined to 87 deaths per one lakh live births, a reduction of nearly 15 points during the present government's tenure. He added institutional deliveries have risen to 94.1%, about four percentage points above the national average. The minister said that the deaths in Bhilwara and Banswara, Khimsar are being investigated as per established medical protocols. "So far, the inquiry and available facts have not revealed any clear evidence of medical negligence. However, if negligence or violation of medical protocols is established at any stage, strict action will be taken against those responsible in accordance with the rules," he said. The Bhilwara episode comes against a backdrop of repeated maternal health crises across Rajasthan between May and July 2026. In Kota, five women died after caesarean deliveries in May, with several others developing kidney failure. In June, three women died in Bikaner after six women developed kidney failure following similar complications. In the same month, eight pregnant women developed serious post-delivery complications in Jodhpur; two required dialysis and intensive care, and two died. The recurring incidents have raised serious questions about infection control, surgical practices and maternal healthcare standards in government hospitals across the state. The minister said government hospitals routinely receive critically ill patients referred from private hospitals, particularly women with high-risk pregnancies, excessive bleeding, hypertension, heart disease, severe anaemia and other serious complications. Such patients are treated by specialist medical teams, he said. He added that doctors decide on caesarean deliveries and other complicated obstetric cases strictly in accordance with established medical protocols, with the safety of both mother and newborn being the highest priority. Khimsar said the Health Department has directed all government medical institutions to ensure 100% compliance with maternal healthcare protocols: timely identification of high-risk pregnancies, regular monitoring, effective referral systems and specialist treatment where required. Compliance is being monitored continuously. He said special focus is being given to Maternal Health and Child Nutrition Days at sub-health centres and the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan clinics held on the 9th, 18th and 27th of every month. The minister said principal secretary, medical and health, Gayatri Rathore, recently inspected medical institutions in Jodhpur, Bikaner and other districts to review maternal and child healthcare services. Deficiencies identified during inspections are being addressed on priority and necessary resources are being provided. Khimsar said the government is strengthening healthcare infrastructure by expanding specialist services, supplying modern equipment, ensuring availability of essential medicines, improving high-risk pregnancy tracking, streamlining referral systems and enhancing the quality of maternal healthcare services. Appealing to pregnant women, he urged them to undergo regular antenatal check-ups and to visit the nearest community health centre (CHC), primary health centre (PHC) or government hospital immediately if they experience complications. Meanwhile, Gehlot alleged in a post on X that the rising number of maternal deaths in Rajasthan was "frightening, shocking and confirmation of a deepening public health crisis." Claiming that the deaths of four more women in Banswara had taken the reported toll to 18 maternal deaths in the past two months, Gehlot said the government's lack of accountability was worsening the situation in the state. "The government has failed to handle this crisis, save the lives of pregnant women or restore public confidence in the healthcare system. Its insensitivity and lack of accountability are only worsening the situation," he said. Gehlot said he had sought a central team from the Union Health Ministry to assess the situation, and urged the Centre to take immediate corrective measures, warning that further delays could lead to more maternal deaths....