Karnataka: Spurred by Priyank Kharge’s allegations, DC orders inquiry into 8 deaths

KALABURAGI: Eight Covid-19 patients died on Tuesday due to non-availability of ventilators at ESIC hospital in Kalaburagi, alleged Chittapur MLA Priyank Kharge, accusing the district administration and government of concealing the matter. A five-member committee comprising doctors has been formed to probe the allegation.
The eight patients were undergoing treatment at ESIC hospital and needed ventilator support. They were purportedly shifted to Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) due to non-availability of ventilators at ESIC and breathed their last on Tuesday.
In a series of tweets to the health minister, Kharge posted a video in which the son of a deceased woman alleged they weren’t informed of his mother being moved to GIMS from ESIC hospital.
The son claimed when he asked ESIC hospital authorities why his mother was shifted, they said it was because of non-availability of oxygen. The woman died later along with seven others, alleged the Congress MLA.
Kalaburagi DC B Sharath on Tuesday formed a committee of five doctors from two private hospitals to inquire into the matter. Sharath told TOI the committee has been given three days to submit its report.
He said ESIC director Nagaraj clarified to deputy chief minister and district in-charge minister Govind Karjol that non-availability of ventilators wasn’t the reason for all eight deaths. While some patients were suffering from other ailments, the age factor was to blame in some cases, he said.