At Ballari Medical College and Research Centre (BMCRC), which has been at the centre of a controversy, another maternal death has been reported bringing the number of such fatalities in the past month to five. The latest case involved 23-year-old Kolmi Sumaiya, who succumbed to complications following a cesarean section on December 5.
Sumaiya, admitted on November 11, developed post-surgery complications leading to renal failure. According to senior health department officials, her condition required dialysis but despite medical efforts, she passed away after suffering cardiac arrest. The health department’s note revealed that Sumaiya experienced persistent hypotension and did not respond to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) administered during her final moments.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed his condolences and assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted. Speaking to reporters, he said, as per a report on PTI, "We will determine the cause of the death. Maternal deaths occur in many places. We will investigate this case, as well to determine whether medicines or any other reason caused it."
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, addressing the rising concerns, stated his willingness to resign if it would improve the healthcare system. Minister Rao told reporters in Bengaluru, "I am ready to resign if it can set things right. This is not about prestige or power; it is about people's lives. We have taken the maternal deaths in Ballari very seriously and implemented legal steps and measures to bring improvements." Further, he said that he does not have any objection to a probe into the matter.
Meanwhile, Karnataka BJP filed a complaint with the Lokayukta on Friday, seeking an investigation into maternal deaths allegedly caused by substandard IV fluids. They also called for a judicial probe into the incident. The delegation, led by Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, submitted the complaint to Lokayukta Justice B.S. Patil. "This tragedy demands accountability, transparency, and immediate corrective action," Narayanaswamy emphasised, as per a report on IANS.
Earlier, four other maternal fatalities were reported at the hospital between November 9 and 11. Officials highlighted the use of Ringer Lactate (RL) fluid batches supplied by a West Bengal-based pharmaceutical company during this period. This has raised suspicions of potential medical negligence or product-related issues.
Although the hospital has reported complications in seven delivery cases, only two patients were successfully discharged, while five succumbed. Fortunately, all newborns from these cases were reported to be healthy.