Bengaluru, Nov 30 (NationPress) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday revealed the suspension of state Drug Controller Umesh for negligence linked to the recent maternal fatalities at Ballary District Hospital.
Addressing the press after leading a high-level meeting, the Karnataka CM stated that the West Bengal-based firm responsible for supplying the Ringer's Lactate solution has been blacklisted, and legal action has been initiated against the company.
The government has already declared a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families affected. Furthermore, instructions have been issued to reclaim additional compensation from the supplying company to assist the victims' families, Siddaramaiah noted.
To investigate these tragic occurrences in various hospitals statewide, an expert committee will be established, chaired by the Development Secretary, as stated by CM Siddaramaiah.
He mentioned that four maternal fatalities have been recorded at Ballary District Hospital since November 11. Of the seven cases involving severe complications such as hemodialysis, multiple organ failure, and acute kidney injury, four women tragically lost their lives.
Among the remaining three patients, two have been discharged and are recovering at Ballary VIMS. A preliminary report concerning the incidents has been compiled by forming an expert committee to investigate the deaths, he stated.
All batches of Ringer's Lactate solution administered to the patients have been retracted, and samples used at Ballary District Hospital have been dispatched for laboratory examination, he stated.
A high-level committee, led by the Development Secretary, will investigate similar fatalities occurring throughout the state, he announced.
Moreover, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah directed officials to formulate a proposal for the upcoming Cabinet meeting aimed at reforming the drug procurement process and the Drug Control Department, modeled after Tamil Nadu's framework.
CM Siddaramaiah emphasized that measures must be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
He instructed that upon receiving the lab report, all individuals accountable for the recent tragedies should be identified and appropriate actions initiated.
Disciplinary measures have already been ordered against the Drug Controller.
A decision has been made to propose to the Central government to further tighten drug control regulations.
Plans for reforming the drug procurement process and the Drug Control Department based on the Tamil Nadu model will be discussed in the next Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister confirmed.
Immediate comprehensive reports have been requested to ascertain whether similar issues arose elsewhere in the state due to the identified drug, Siddaramaiah remarked.
An expert committee, led by the Development Secretary, has been tasked to present a detailed report within a week, he added.
Many participants at the meeting highlighted the need for decisive action to combat the influence of the "medicine mafia".
It was proposed to communicate with the Central government to discuss new frameworks and regulations for drug control, inspired by Tamil Nadu's model.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah underscored the necessity of implementing stringent measures to prevent such incidents and safeguard public health.
