Raj: 12 pregnant women dead; IV fluid the killer

Jodhpur, Feb 25: A piece of news that could make you squirm in your seat and will make you question the health system of our country that is being projected as the next big thing in the world. In an appalling case in Rajasthan's Jodhpur, 12 pregnant women died after they were given contaminated Intravenous (IV) fluids. The case has shaken the locals and raises serious doubts about the health system in India.

Preliminary reports suggest that it was indeed contaminated IV fluid that led to the death of these women that happened in a course of 10 days. The women were admitted in the government run Umaid Hospital. Four other women are battling for life in the hospital following excessive bleeding. The first incident came to light on Feb 13.

The Rajasthan government has registered a case against the drug company, Parental Surgical India Private Limited, which was found to have delivered the IV fluids to the hospital. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said on the cringing situation that, "We are investigating the entire matter and strict action will be taken against those guilty. We will also look into which companies were involved."

The same drug company was in the news earlier for allegedly supplying infected blood to thalassemia patients. The Madhya Pradesh based company will have to face some stringent actions from authorities if the allegations are found to be true. The Jodhpur police have filed cases under IPC Section 328 (putting a person's life under threat).

The Rajasthan government has intimated the Drug Inspector of India and the Drug Inspector of Madhya Pradesh to seize the contaminated batch of IV fluids and curb further use of such fluids before the catastrophe is multiplied. The police have seized as many as 5,000 bottles of unused IV fluid bottles from various government hospitals here.

It is disturbing to find that the same hand that heals us has the deadly ability to kill us as well . Are the authorities listening?

OneIndia News