12 fatalities reported over three years
Jaipur: The Rajasthan government has told the Legislative Assembly that medical negligence, including lapses in blood transfusion safety, led to 12 patient deaths across the state between January 2023 and December 31, 2025. The disclosure was made in reply to an unstarred question by BJP MLA Pratap Singh Singhvi.
Wrong blood transfusion cases at SMS Hospital
In its response, the government said two of the deaths occurred at Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur and were specifically linked to the transfusion of an incorrect blood group, pointing to serious failures in verification procedures at the tertiary-care facility.
Details of reported incidents
According to the information placed before the House, one case involved Sachin Sharma, a 23-year-old road accident victim admitted to the trauma and orthopaedics department, who died on February 23, 2024. Another case related to 23-year-old Chaina Devi, admitted to the medicine department in May 2025 in a critical condition, who died after allegedly being transfused with the wrong blood group.
No deaths from fake or substandard drugs
The government clarified that no deaths during the period under review were attributed to the use of fake or substandard medicines. However, departmental inquiries into negligence cases resulted in disciplinary action against healthcare personnel.
Disciplinary action against staff
The Health Department said that 34 doctors and staff members were either suspended, dismissed or penalised following investigations into medical negligence. It also stated that no compensation has been paid to the families of the deceased patients so far.
Inspection of blood centres intensified
The government informed the House that regulatory oversight of blood centres had been strengthened. Between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2025, as many as 401 inspections were conducted. Based on the findings, 85 licences were suspended, seven were cancelled and 272 blood centres were issued warnings.
Drug sellers face regulatory action
Routine enforcement under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 continued during the period. The government said 69,609 inspections of drug sellers were carried out, leading to the suspension of 12,043 licences and cancellation of 1,637 licences for violations.
Quality testing and accountability measures
The state further reported that 20,770 drug samples were collected for quality testing, of which 435 were found substandard and action is underway. Reiterating its stand on accountability, the Health Department said high-level inquiries are ordered in medical negligence cases and strict action is taken against those found guilty under existing rules.
