Bengaluru, Nov 30 (NationPress) In a significant move, Karnataka Upalokayukta Justice B. Veerappa has taken suo-motu cognizance and directed the registration of a case against the medical practitioners at the District Hospital and Ballary Medical College and Research Centre (BMRC) in Ballary concerning the tragic deaths of five women who passed away after delivery.
An official announcement from the Registrar of Karnataka Lokayukta stated: "Justice B. Veerappa has instructed the Superintendent of Police, Lokayukta Ballary, to visit the involved hospitals and provide a detailed report."
Following these directions, a report was submitted on November 29, which led to the Upalokayukta's decision to register a case against the doctors involved.
Additionally, the Deputy Commissioner of the Ballary district, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ballary Zilla Panchayat, and the Commissioner of the Health and Family Welfare Department in Bengaluru have been asked to prepare a comprehensive report within a month.
In the interim, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao convened a high-level meeting to address this unfortunate situation.
After the meeting, Minister Rao declared that, as a precautionary measure, the administration has halted the usage of I.V. (intravenous) Ringer's Lactate solution in all government hospitals statewide.
Responding to inquiries from the media in Bengaluru, the minister explained that this decision was prompted by suspicions surrounding the I.V. solution.
The Ringer's Lactate Glucose solution has been a long-standing component in hospital treatments. Recently, 192 batches of I.V. solutions were distributed to the Karnataka State Drugs Logistics and Warehousing Society. During its administration, concerns emerged regarding two particular batches.
As a precaution, the use of all 192 batches has been entirely suspended in hospitals. Subsequently, following a court order obtained by the supplier, the Central Drug Laboratory (CDL) tested the solution and confirmed its safety for use, according to Minister Rao.
In light of the CDL findings, a technical expert committee has been established in the state to conduct further evaluations, allowing only solutions from batches that meet quality standards to be utilized. Although the solution was administered in multiple government hospitals, suspicions have specifically surfaced regarding the Ballary district hospital.
The batches provided to the Ballary hospital have been sent for anaerobic testing, which will determine if the I.V. solution played a role in the maternal fatalities.
"We anticipate the test results within a week. A final verdict on the use of the I.V. solution will be made based on these findings. Until then, the suspension of I.V. Ringer's Lactate stands as a precaution," Rao stated.
"The safety of every individual is paramount to us. When such concerns are raised, it is essential to take preventive measures. Therefore, all hospitals have been instructed to refrain from using I.V. Ringer's Lactate," he added.
The residents of Karnataka's Ballary district have voiced their anger towards the authorities following the loss of five women who died after childbirth in two government-operated hospitals over a span of 15 days.
The women were admitted to the District Government Hospital in Ballary city and the Ballary Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS).
Allegations have surfaced claiming that the deaths resulted from negligence on the part of the hospital staff. Among the deceased, four women had undergone cesarean surgeries at the Ballary District Hospital.
Four women in their post-pregnancy period succumbed within a week at the Ballary Government District Hospital.
On November 9, cesarean operations were performed on 14 pregnant women at the Ballary district hospital, leading to health complications in seven and the demise of four within a week. The deceased have been identified as Lalitamma, Rojamma, Nandini, and Muskaan.
This string of fatalities has raised alarms among the economically disadvantaged who rely solely on government healthcare services, as they cannot afford private medical facilities. The hospital administration contends that the deaths were due to health complications faced by the pregnant women, distancing themselves from responsibility.
Ballary is recognized as one of the most underdeveloped districts in the state, with dismal social and economic indicators. The families of the victims are demanding justice and urging the government to take measures to safeguard the lives of pregnant women in state-run hospitals.
