Karnataka CM Announces Probe Into Ballari Maternal Deaths With Rs 2 Lakh Ex Gratia Amid Accusation Of ‘Hiding’ Figures

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that a preliminary report has been obtained on the incidents and an expert committee has been formed to probe the deaths.

File photo of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Source : PTI

After the recent maternal deaths in the Ballari district of Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday directed an inquiry into the incidents at various hospitals of the state. He also announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the victims' families. Four women have lost their lives this month in the district.

Siddaramaiah ordered the suspension of the drug controller and blacklisting of Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical which supplied the substandard Ringer Lactate solution that is administered to inject in order to restore hydration and fluid balance in the body. He also directed to prosecute the company.

A high-level meeting regarding the maternal deaths in Ballari was chaired by CM on Saturday. "I have asked for the drugs controller to be suspended immediately. I have directed to blacklist the Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical Ltd and to prosecute it. Also, it should be ensured that the company pays compensation to the victims," PTI quoted Siddaramaiah as saying.

He assured that the government has decided to give compensation of Rs 2 lakh each. "I have also directed to issue a notice to Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (KSMSCL) Managing Director (MD) for a departmental inquiry. It has also been decided to form an expert committee under the chairmanship of the Development Commissioner to investigate such deaths that have occurred in various hospitals in the state, and to submit a report in seven days," he added.

According to the officials of the health department, the incident of maternal deaths was reported from the Ballari district hospital between November 9 and 11. The deaths took place after cesarean operations at the hospital. A total of seven cases developed complications out of the 34 cesarean operations performed in those three days.

They disclosed that out of those seven patients after developing complications such as acute kidney injury requiring hemodialysis and multi-organ dysfunction, four have lost their lives. Rest, two patients were discharged from the hospital and one is undergoing treatment at Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS), Ballari.

The CM further said that a preliminary report has been obtained on the incidents and an expert committee has been formed to probe the deaths. All batches of Ringer Lactate Solution have been dismissed and the used solution in the Ballari District Hospital has been sent to the laboratory for testing.

The Chief Minister stated that a proposal would be presented in the next cabinet meeting to restructure the medicine procurement process and the Drugs Control Department, based on the Tamil Nadu model.

Officials reported that the CM has instructed precautionary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future and directed that all individuals responsible for the incident be identified and held accountable after receiving the laboratory report.

Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje Demands Action Against State's Health Minister

Earlier in the day, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced the suspension of Ringer Lactate solution usage in all government hospitals as a precautionary measure.

Lashing out at the Siddaramaiah-led government for "hiding" the actual maternal death figures, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje demanded a probe and action against the state's Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao.

While putting her demands of compensation for the victims' families, she said, "Siddaramaiah government is hiding figures. Immediately, there should be an inquiry and action should be taken against Minister Rao."

"The glucose that was administered after caesarean was fake. Ringer Lactate glucose was supplied by Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical Ltd. This glucose has been banned. It was said by the department not to give it. Even then it was used and women lost their lives," she alleged.