Bengaluru/Ballari:
One more maternal death has been reported at Ballari Medical College and Research Center (BMCRC), taking the total number of such deaths in the last month to five.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday assured that the death that occurred on the night of December 5 will be investigated, while Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said he was ready to “resign” if it would help improve the situation.
According to the information received, 23-year-old Kolmi Sumaiya was admitted to the hospital on November 11 and a cesarean operation was performed. Senior health department officials told PTI that he later developed complications which led to kidney failure.
“Complications arose after the C-section, due to which he had to be put on dialysis. He died on Thursday,” an official said.
The official said there were seven cases of complicated deliveries, of which two patients were discharged, while five, including the recent case, lost their lives last month.
He said that all the newborn babies in these cases were healthy.
According to a note issued by the health department, on December 5, the patient experienced persistent hypotension despite being on double inotropes and suffered cardiac arrest at 7.45 pm.
“Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was administered in three cycles, but despite all efforts, the patient died at 8.10 pm,” the note said.
According to the health department, four maternal deaths were reported at the district hospital in Ballari between November 9 and 11. It was noted that Ringer Lactate (RL) batches supplied by a West Bengal-based pharma company were used.
Siddaramaiah assured that the matter will be investigated. “We will determine the cause of death. Maternal deaths happen in many places,” he told reporters in Bengaluru.
When Siddaramaiah was reminded that this was the fifth death, he admitted that he was aware of the situation.
“I have held a meeting and suspended the drug control department officials. We will investigate the matter and also find out whether it was due to drugs or any other reason,” he said.
On his part, Minister Rao told reporters in Bengaluru, “If it can set things right I am ready to resign. It is not about prestige or power; it is about people's lives. We have taken maternal mortality in Ballari very seriously and have implemented it.” Legal steps and measures to bring about reforms.” Mr Rao further said that he had no objection to investigation of the matter.
“An investigation should be conducted and whoever is found responsible should face action. We are committed to making all necessary efforts to reform the system. I also seek the support of the opposition in this,” he said.
Emphasizing that the investigation should find out where the mistakes happened and why they persisted, Rao expressed regret that such incidents have happened in different parts of the country “without holding anyone accountable”.
He highlighted that the health department had written to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) questioning why it was certifying drugs “rejected by Karnataka”.
“You approve drugs that we reject. What should we do next? We cannot blacklist the company or reject their products outright because then they can approach the court claiming that That their product is safe. What should be the next step, and who is responsible for it?” Rao raised the question by stressing the need for “third party review of the drugs”. Rao said a team of officials had inspected the facility of West Bengal-based drug manufacturer Panshim Banga and was directed to submit a report. Was.
“They have conducted an inspection because we need to prosecute the drug manufacturer. We are moving forward with legal action,” he said.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka criticized the ruling Congress government over maternal deaths in BMCRC.
Ashok said at a press conference, “The Congress government claims to give Rs 2,000 per month to women heads of BPL families under the Griha Lakshmi scheme, but now women are saying that they do not want Rs 2,000, they want justice. “
He said that the people of Karnataka demand justice and as the leader of the opposition, he supports this demand.
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