Maternal deaths at Ballari District Hospital prompt swift action

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru/Ballari

Recent maternal deaths at the Ballari District Hospital have raised concerns, prompting swift action by Karnataka's Health and Family Welfare (HFW) Department. The deaths, which occurred between November 9 and 11, 2024, followed caesarean surgeries at the hospital. Of the 34 surgeries conducted, complications arose in seven cases.

Tragically, five mothers succumbed to kidney failure and multi-organ failure, while two others were discharged after recovery. An expert team from the RGUHS investigated the incident and found no negligence or lapses in following surgical protocols. However, two critical factors were identified:

the use of a single batch of antibiotics across patients and the use of Ringer’s Lactate fluid from a previously frozen batch. Upon receiving the report, the HFW Department took the following actions:

• All batches of Ringer’s Lactate fluid were withdrawn from state health facilities.

• The government announced financial aid of Rs 5 lakh for each affected family.

• Accountability measures were implemented, including the suspension of the drug controller, Dr Umesh, for oversight, and the issuance of a show-cause notice to the KSMSCL.

• The pharmaceutical company M/s Paschim Banga was blacklisted, with its products temporarily banned pending further quality checks.