Five women in Kota who developed kidney failure after childbirth have stopped dialysis, insisting on kidney transplants or permission for euthanasia after a 48-hour ultimatum to authorities expired without resolution.
The women, hospitalized for nearly 70 days at Rajasthan’s New Medical College Hospital, allege medical negligence and spurious medicines caused their condition. They now refuse further dialysis, citing unbearable pain and uncertainty.
Families demand action on kidney transplants
The affected women—Ragini Meena, Aarti Chaubdar, Pinki Airwal, Sushila Mahawar, and Dhanni Suman—submitted a memorandum to the Kota district administration on Monday, warning they would halt treatment if no decision on transplants was made within 48 hours. With the deadline passed, all five have refused dialysis.
Families describe the women as physically exhausted and emotionally shattered, with some undergoing dialysis three times a week. Dhanni Suman, admitted on May 4, told reporters, “If a kidney transplant is not possible, we will not undergo dialysis any more, even if it costs us our lives.”
Hospital denies negligence, cites medical protocols
New Medical College principal Dr. Nilesh Jain stated the women are stable and receiving free treatment under the Chief Minister Ayushman Scheme. He emphasized that transplant decisions require a 3-6 month waiting period to assess kidney recovery, and dialysis must continue in the interim.
Dr. Jain also noted the women could have been discharged 20 days ago but chose to remain hospitalized. The case stems from early May, when 12 women fell critically ill post-childbirth at Kota’s JK Lon Hospital and New Medical College Hospital. Five died, two recovered, and the remaining five continue treatment.
