Ballari: The number of fatalities among lactating mothers, who underwent Cesarean section at Ballari District Hospital last month, rose to five with the death of one more new mom on Thursday.
The latest victim, identified as Sumaya, from Kudligi, was admitted to Ballari District Hospital on November 11, where she underwent a C-section the same day. Following the delivery, her condition deteriorated, and she was moved to the Vijayanagara Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) the next day, where she was in intensive care for 24 days.
Despite showing signs of recovery, her renal condition remained critical. She subsequently suffered multi-organ failure, in view of which, the medical team at VIMS planned to transfer her to Bengaluru.
However, on Thursday, around 8 pm, her blood pressure dropped drastically, and her condition worsened, leading to her death, VIMS director Gangadharagouda said.
Last month, four lactating mothers had died after they underwent C-sections at the Ballari hospital, following which, chief minister Siddaramaiah ordered suspension of the drug controller and criminal proceedings were initiated against Pashchim Banga Pharmaceutical for allegedly supplying substandard ringer lactate solution – an IV fluid – to the hospital.
Meanwhile, a newborn died at VIMS on Thursday. While the family complained of medical negligence, VIMS staff claimed "the baby had breathing problems while in the womb".
At the cabinet meeting on Thursday, Siddaramaiah expressed his concern over the deaths and instructed health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao to issue a detailed report. The CM also urged the department to take sufficient precautionary measures to avoid any recurrence in the future.
Reacting to the deaths, health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said: "Every death brings the spotlight on the failures of the department, no matter which party or minister heads it. We are bringing reforms in medical procurements and will finalise it in the next cabinet meeting."
Saying that a formal report on the deaths was awaited, Rao added that the CM had earlier announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for each of the victims' families and a similar amount would be paid to the kin of the latest victim.
Meanwhile, opposition BJP registered a formal complaint with Lokayukta, demanding the immediate resignation of the health minister, attributing the deaths to negligence by the state govt.
In Ballari, former minister B Sriramulu, who visited the district hospital's maternity ward on Friday, claimed more than 100 new mothers had died across the state in recent months.