RewaTragedy: Mother And Newborn Die, Negligence Allegations Rock Hospital

New Delhi, August 29, 2026 The deaths of 25-year-old Kalpana Mishra and her newborn at a government hospital in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, have sparked allegations of medical negligence. Hours before her death, a video showed Kalpana crying and pleading with her family to take her away. “If this kind of treatment continues, these people will kill me,” she told her mother. She also said, “I won't survive. Please save me, my life is in danger.” Kalpana had been admitted to Gandhi Memorial Hospital for the delivery of her first child. She underwent a C-section around 8:30 pm on August 26 and delivered a baby, but both mother and newborn died shortly afterwards. Her family alleges that doctors failed to respond adequately to repeated requests to monitor her condition and has also raised concerns over the anaesthesia administered to her. Following the deaths, relatives staged a protest outside the hospital and demanded action against those responsible. Two nursing officers, Sadhana Verma and Seema Mujalde, were suspended on a prima facie basis, while a high-level inquiry committee was formed. Dr Sunil Agrawal said, “This is a deeply tragic incident in which both the mother and the child have died. Action will be taken in accordance with the complaints received.” Hospital Superintendent Dr Rahul Mishra denied negligence, saying, “The woman was treated according to medical protocols. There was no negligence on the part of the doctors.” The inquiry will now determine what led to the deaths and whether anyone was responsible. The case has also highlighted Madhya Pradesh’s wider healthcare staffing shortage, with more than 72 per cent of sanctioned specialist doctor posts vacant.