JODHPUR, Aug. 8 -- Two more women died at Dr SN Medical College in Jodhpur and its affiliated hospitals, taking the number of maternal deaths reported at the hospital group over the past fortnight to six. The deaths, occurred on Thursday, include four women who had recently delivered and two pregnant women. Medical College Principal Dr. B.S. Jodha said 32-year-old Krishna Kumari from Phalodi had been admitted to Ummed Hospital with a high-risk pregnancy. "She delivered her baby through a caesarean section, but developed sudden breathing difficulty on Thursday morning. She was immediately shifted to the Respiratory ICU and placed on a ventilator. Doctors performed CPR twice and made every possible effort to revive her, but she could not be saved," Dr. Jodha said. In another case, Saroj from Nagaur was brought to Mathuradas Mathur Hospital after the death of her unborn baby in the womb, along with severe bleeding. She also died during treatment. Hospital authorities said the condition of two other critically ill women admitted to the ICU at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital has improved. One is being treated for infection and kidney-related complications, while the other, an 18-week pregnant woman from Jalore, is undergoing treatment for pneumonia. Dr. Jodha said Ummed Hospital is the main referral centre for maternal and child healthcare in western Rajasthan. The hospital receives critically ill patients from around eight districts of the state. He said several women admitted in recent days had arrived in a critical condition. According to Dr. Jodha, the leading causes of maternal deaths are severe bleeding, high blood pressure and infections. He said excessive bleeding accounts for about 20 to 24 per cent of maternal deaths in India, while high blood pressure is responsible for around 18 to 20 per cent. Infections also remain a major cause. htc...