Eight women on Tuesday died due to botched surgeries in sterilisation camp organised by the state government in Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh.
Around 60 women were admitted to different hospitals after they complained of complications following sterilisation surgery at the camp held at a private hospital in Pendari village on outskirts of Bilaspur town on Saturday, Bilaspur Collector Siddharth Komal Pardeshi said.
"Eight died after their condition deteriorated," said Pardeshi. The deceased were all below 32 years of age.
Meanwhile, four health officials including Chief Medical Health Officer of Bilaspur has been suspended.
"Chief Medical and Health Officer, Bilaspur Dr R K Bhange, laparoscopic surgeon Dr R K Gupta, State Programme Convener, family planning Dr K C Urao and Block Medical Officer (BMP), Takhatpur Dr Pramod Tiwari have been suspended," Chief Minister Raman Singh said today after visiting women hospitalised at various facilities.
Also, the CM has issued directives to register an FIR against Dr R K Gupta, under whose supervision the camp was held and the surgeries were performed. Not ruling out negligence on the part of doctors, Singh promised stern action against those found guilty after the probe.
"Its a very unfortunate incident. Prime facie it appears that incident occurred due to negligence (by doctors). A detailed enquiry will be conducted into it keeping in view all the angles, including the quality of the medicines at the camp, standard of the surgery, post operatives measures and others," Singh said.
On November 8, about 83 women had undergone surgeries at the sterilisation camp held at Nemichand Jain Cancer and Research Centre at Pendari village of Takhatpur region. All women were residents of nearby villages.
The women were discharged after providing medicines on Saturday night but within 24 hours of the surgery, most of them complained of vomiting and abdominal pain following which 60 of them were rushed to different hospitals.
During treatment, two of them - Janaki Bai (26) and Dipti Yadav (27) - who were admitted to Bilaspur district hospital passed away yesterday, he said.
Besides, Rekha Nirmalkar, Nembai Suryawanshi, Ranjita, Phool Bai and Chandra Bai, all aged between 22-32 years and admitted to Apollo hospital, died last night after their condition worsened, the Collector said.
The identity of one of the victims is still not known.
Preliminary examinations suggested that hypovolemic shock or a septic infection may be the cause of death, Deputy Director, Health Services, Amar Singh said, adding that a detailed autopsy report would reveal the exact reason behind the deaths.
"Its a tragic incident. We have announced a compensation of Rs two lakh each to the family of the deceased," Health and Family Welfare Minister Amar Agrawal told reporters.
An investigation has been ordered into the incident and strict action will be taken against those found guilty, Agrawal said.
A three-member panel has been formed by the state health department to probe the incident.
Meanwhile, Congress has criticised Raman Singh-led BJP government in Chhattisgarh.
Congress leader Digvijay Singh tweeted, " Strict action against the negligent officers. Missing Minister of GOI ! Modi must respond. How can Rajasthan government claim that a Minister in GOI can't be traced ? Good Governance Mr Modi?
However, health officials have denied any negligence.
More details awaited.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}