Government yet to form panel to probe death of expectant moms

CHENNAI: More than a week after the state government ordered a detailed investigation into the maternal deaths caused by ‘lysed’ blood transmission in three government hospitals, the health department is yet to appoint a probe panel. A committee of medical experts is to inquire into the state of blood banks and cause of maternal deaths. The kin of the victims, too, are unable to initiate criminal proceedings as they are in the dark about the cause of the deaths since they are not privy to the audit findings.

State health secretary Beela Rajesh had ordered criminal and disciplinary action against at least three doctors manning blood banks at Dharmapuri, Hosur and Krishnagiri hospitals after an audit found that blood stored at inappropriate temperatures led to maternal deaths. Initial reports showed that 15 women who were given blood during pregnancy, just before C-section or soon after labour, experienced severe upper abdominal pain leading to a series of complications. Audits done in nine cases showed that the blood volume transfused in some women was 10ml-20ml.

On March 25, TOI reported that the health secretary asked the directors of medical education and medical services to file police complaints, initiate departmental enquiry and lodge a complaint with the medical council for “negligence”. The directors told media that an expert committee would be formed for a detailed probe, which would look at all maternal deaths in the three hospitals, and side-effects or death among surgical and trauma cases, who were given blood as a part of treatment protocol. The panel will also look into the records of the refrigeration system to check for temperature variations.

Officials confirmed on Tuesday that the committee was yet to be formed. “We will be doing it in the next couple of days. We have assured the doctors that we will give them a chance to present their case before framing charges,” said a senior official in the health department.

The Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association has already rallied behind the doctors in the dock, and demanded a detailed probe before framing any charges. “At least 0.5% of people undergoing blood transfusion face severe side effects. Samples of blood that was transfused were not proved to be lysed. So, it’s unfair to punish doctors without detailed inquiry,” said Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association president Dr K Senthil. Legal experts, however, suggest that parallel investigations should be done both by the health department and the police to ensure justice.