Jodhpur, February 25: In a shocking case of negligence, 13 pregnant women died at Jodhpur’s Umaid Hospital after being administered with infected glucose.
The deaths, which occurred in the span of just over a week, happened at the time of child births. The women had undergone C-sections or had suffered excessive bleeding during deliveries.
Initial investigations reveal that the patients were, indeed, administered contaminated IV fluid which eventually led to their deaths.
“The deaths occurred due to infected fluids”, said Dr Narendra Changani, Superintendent, Umaid Hospital.
Following protests from the families of the deceased, the Rajasthan government has ordered a probe into the deaths.
“I spoke to hospital authorities and the Health Minister. After the meeting, we have started a detailed investigation to find out the real reasons for these deaths. If there is a need for criminal action, we will register a case depending on what comes out of the probe”, said Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
Meanwhile, experts are also probing whether a Superbug has entered the hospital’s Operation Theatre. A Superbug is a bacterium which is resistant to most antibiotics and causes maximum harm to patients undergoing surgeries.
For the time being, four out of the five Operation Theatres have been closed down and a committee of six experts is collecting and checking all samples from the Operation Theatres.
An FIR has been lodeged in the case of death of twelve pregnant women against the drug company and a local distributor. Preliminary investigations showed that the dead women and four others who are batteling for lives were treated with contaminated intravenous fluids supplied by the alleged company.
A case has been registered under section 328 of IPC (causing hurt by means of poison with intent to commit an offence), against the Indore-based Parental Surgical India Private Limited, and a local distributor, for allegedly supplying contaminated I V fluid that is believed to be the cause behind the death of 12 pregnant women in hospitals here.
“We have started the investigation and checking the stocks. A total of 5,000 bottles of this drug of a particular lot were supplied to the hospitals,” said the Police.
–Agencies