Kota kidney failure case: Women patients refuse dialysis, seek kidney transplants after five deaths
Kota, July 16
Female patients undergoing treatment for kidney failure at the Super Speciality Wing of Kota District Medical College have refused to undergo further dialysis sessions and demanded that the administration arrange kidney transplants following the deaths of five women in the case.
Sharing her ordeal, one of the patients said she has been experiencing severe discomfort after every dialysis session and appealed to the government to facilitate her kidney transplant at the earliest.
"I don't want to live a life that is dependent on dialysis... I have only six months or so... Please get me a kidney transplant as soon as possible. I appeal to the government to help me get well. It's been two months. I left my family and everything else behind. I have two small children at home. After dialysis, I experience severe discomfort--my hands and feet go cold, and I start shivering," she told reporters.
Another patient, while speaking to reporters, alleged that despite repeated assurances from public representatives, no concrete action had been taken regarding their treatment. She urged the government to provide a written commitment to arrange kidney transplants.
"The collector has not been given any definitive answer. All the politicians have come and given assurances, but till now no one has taken actual responsibility for getting the kidney transplants done. The government should take official responsibility and give it to us in writing that they will get it done, whether now or later. Only then will we be satisfied," she said.
Highlighting the emotional and financial impact of the prolonged treatment, she said the patients and their families were facing immense difficulties while being separated from their loved ones.
"We are suffering from deep depression being confined here. Our health deteriorates constantly because of this distress. We are completely cut off from our families; our children are crying at home while we are lying here in the hospital. On top of that, my husband is on the verge of losing his job due to this prolonged crisis. It is a terrible situation, and we simply do not want to continue living on the support of dialysis," she added.
Responding to the patients' concerns, Principal of Kota Medical College, Dr Nilesh Jain, said dialysis remains a life-saving procedure and that a dedicated medical team is continuously monitoring the affected patients.
Responding to the concerns raised by the patients, Principal of Kota Medical College, Dr Nilesh Jain, said dialysis remains a life-saving procedure and that a dedicated medical team is continuously monitoring the affected women.
"Dialysis is a life-saving procedure, and the Nephrology department at this super-speciality hospital performs dialysis for approximately 80 patients every 24 hours. I cannot say whether others are facing difficulties or not, but only these five individuals seem to be experiencing issues. A full medical team has been deployed to handle any symptomatic issues and is constantly monitoring the patients," Jain told ANI.
Jain urged the patients to discuss their concerns with their treating physicians and avoid being influenced by misconceptions regarding their treatment.
"If the patients have any doubts regarding their kidney condition, they should sit down with their treating physician for a thorough discussion. Instead of getting caught up in misconceptions, the patients should trust their physician and discuss the appropriate way forward for their treatment. Predicting exactly how long a patient will live is beyond the scope of any physician. Their condition has improved significantly compared to where they started, so they should maintain their trust in the treatment process," he added.
The affected women have been undergoing treatment for nearly two months after developing kidney complications following Caesarean section deliveries. Their family members had recently submitted a memorandum to the district administration demanding kidney transplants and sought intervention in the matter.
Five women have died in the case, while five others continue to undergo treatment at the hospital. The administration and medical authorities are monitoring the condition of the patients as concerns continue over their long-term treatment and recovery.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I can't imagine the mental torture these women are going through. Cut off from family, watching other patients die around you, and your own health declining after every dialysis session. The doctors say they are better off now, but how can they be when five people have already died? The medical college needs to conduct a proper investigation into these deaths and share the findings publicly. Transparency is the only way to restore trust here.
I feel for these women. At the same time, kidney transplants aren't easy to arrange—there's organ availability, compatibility, and a whole lot of paperwork. The doctors are right to recommend dialysis as a stop-gap. But the system needs to move faster on transplants, especially when patients are clearly suffering. The fact that they're getting depression and their families are breaking apart shows just how much more support is needed. This isn't just a medical issue—it's a humanitarian one.
The doctors keep saying 'trust the process,' but trust has to be earned. When five women die under the same treatment protocol, you can't just tell the survivors to stop worrying. The government should immediately set up a special committee, including independent nephrologists, to review these cases. Also, these women need mental health counseling along with their medical care. They're clearly traumatized and need holistic support, not just medical assurances.
It's terrible that these women are being forced to choose between painful dialysis and the uncertainty of a transplant. The system is failing them. But I do wonder—what happened with those five women who died? Were their deaths from the dialysis itself or the underlying kidney condition? The doctor's response seems a bit dismissive. A more sympathetic, patient-centered approach would go a long way here. These women need to feel heard, not just treated.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.