Medical negligence claims 12 lives in 2 years: Rajasthan Govt tells Assembly
Medical Negligence
Jaipur: The Rajasthan government has informed the Legislative Assembly that Medical negligence, including lapses in blood transfusion safety, resulted in 12 patient deaths across the state between January 2023 and December 31, 2025. The information was shared in response to an unstarred question raised by BJP MLA Pratap Singh Singhvi.
In its reply, the government stated that two of the reported deaths occurred at Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital, Jaipur, and were linked specifically to the administration of an incorrect blood group, highlighting critical failures in transfusion verification systems at the tertiary-care hospital.
According to Hans India, one of the cases involved Sachin Sharma, a 23-year-old road accident victim who was admitted to the trauma and orthopaedics department of SMS Hospital. He died on February 23, 2024, with the government attributing the death to alleged medical negligence. In another case, 23-year-old Chaina Devi, who was admitted to the medicine department in May 2025 and was on ventilator support in a critical condition, died after being transfused with the wrong blood group.
The state government clarified that no deaths during the same period were linked to the use of fake or substandard medicines. However, departmental inquiries into medical negligence cases led to disciplinary action against healthcare personnel, with 34 doctors and staff members either suspended, dismissed, or penalised. The government also stated that no compensation has been paid to the families in any of these cases.
The government highlighted intensified regulatory oversight of blood centres across the state. Between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2025, a total of 401 inspections of blood centres were conducted. Based on the irregularities identified, 85 licences were suspended, seven were cancelled, and 272 blood centres were issued formal warnings.
The government also informed that routine enforcement under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, continued during this period. The daily noted that 69,609 inspections of drug sellers were carried out, resulting in the suspension of 12,043 licences and the cancellation of 1,637 licences due to regulatory violations.
The government further stated that in addition, 20,770 drug samples were collected for quality testing and analysis, of which 435 were declared substandard. The government said action against these cases is currently underway in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
Reiterating its stance on accountability, the Health Department stated that in cases of medical negligence, immediate high-level inquiries are initiated and strict action is taken against those found guilty, in line with existing rules and regulations.
