Tragic Death of Mother and Newborn at Rewa Hospital Sparks Investigation into Medical Negligence
Bhopal: A harrowing case of alleged medical negligence has emerged from Madhya Pradesh, where a 25-year-old mother and her newborn died shortly after childbirth at the Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Rewa. The family of the deceased, Kalpana Mishra, claims her death was preventable and alleges that hospital staff ignored desperate pleas for help.
A Mother’s Final Plea
The case has sparked public outrage after a distressing video, recorded shortly before Kalpana’s death, surfaced online. In the footage, the expectant mother is seen in visible agony, screaming and begging her family to remove her from the hospital.
“If this kind of treatment continues, these people will kill me,” Kalpana is heard telling her mother in the clip. “I won’t survive. Please save me, my life is in danger.”
According to her family, Kalpana, a resident of Hatwa, was admitted to the hospital on August 25. She underwent a C-section the following evening. Tragically, both the mother and her newborn succumbed shortly after the procedure.
Allegations of Negligence
Kalpana’s father, Ramsharan Mishra, is now demanding accountability, alleging that doctors and staff failed to monitor his daughter’s deteriorating condition despite repeated requests. The family has leveled serious accusations regarding the medical procedures performed, specifically questioning the administration of anesthesia. Relatives suspect that an incorrect dosage may have contributed to her failure to regain consciousness post-surgery.
“Kalpana was my only daughter. I had sold land worth Rs 15 lakh for her wedding. Today, she has left us,” a grief-stricken Mr. Mishra stated. The family briefly protested at the hospital, refusing to permit a post-mortem until the administration committed to a formal investigation and disciplinary action.
Official Response and Inquiry
In the wake of the incident, hospital authorities have suspended two nursing officers, Sadhana Verma and Seema Mujalde. A high-level committee has been established to conduct an independent probe into the medical negligence allegations.
Dr. Sunil Agrawal, Dean of the institution, acknowledged the tragedy, stating, “Action will be taken in accordance with the complaints received… Why the patient did not regain consciousness is a subject of investigation.”
Conversely, Hospital Superintendent Dr. Rahul Mishra defended the medical team, maintaining that the treatment was administered according to standard protocols and denying any wrongdoing by the doctors involved.
A System Under Strain
The incident has cast a spotlight on the chronic staff shortages plaguing the public healthcare system in Madhya Pradesh. Official data for the 2025-26 period reveals a significant crisis: nearly 72 percent of sanctioned specialist doctor positions in the state remain vacant, with 3,948 out of 5,443 roles unfilled. Furthermore, over 40 percent of medical officer posts across the state are currently unoccupied, raising broader concerns about the quality and availability of care for patients in government facilities.
As the inquiry proceeds, the family awaits justice, hoping that the death of their loved one will prompt a reckoning within the healthcare administration.
