13th maternal death in Jodhpur hospital,compensation announced

Jodhpur, Feb 26 (PTI) One more woman died today andfour others were battling for their lives after they wereallegedly administered contaminated intravenous fluids in twogovernment hospitals in Jodhpur, where 13 maternal deaths havetaken place in last 11 days.

Rajasthan government announced a compensation of Rsone lakh for the families of the victims while the tragedyprompted the National Advisory Council (NAC) headed by SoniaGandhi to seek an explanation from the Health Ministry.

Bhavana, 27, died in Mahatama Gandhi Hospital, whereshe had been shifted from Umaid hospital on Sunday in acritical condition following her delivery, hospital sourcessaid.

Angry relatives of Bhavana staged protest at thehospital and refused to take the body. They demanded that thecompensation be raised to Rs five lakh.

Industrial Minister and incharge of Jodhpur division,Rajendra Pareek today visited the two hospitals and helddiscussions with doctors and officials.

He announced a compensation of Rs one lakh for thefamilies of the women, who had died of haemorrhagepost-delivery after they were allegedly administeredcontaminated intravenous fluids supplied by an Indore basedwhich has been booked.

Four other women, one in MGH and three in Umaid, arein serious condition, the sources said.

Two committes which were probing the incident havesubmitted their reports. While the six-member panel of SMMedical College had blamed contaminated IV fluid for thedeaths, the two-member government committee has suggested aslew of measures for the hospitals amid fears that aninfection could also have led to the deaths.

Meanwhile, a four-member police team led by asub-inspector was in Indore to quiz officials of ParentalSurgical India Private Limited and carry out futherinvestigations.

A case was registered under section 328 IPC (causinghurt by means of poison with intent to commit an offence)against Parental Surgical India Private Limited, and a localdistributor, for allegedly supplying the contaminated I Vfluid,

Madhya Pradesh health officials had yesterday raidedthe drug company.

Umaid hospital Superintendent Narendra Changani hadsaid that the administration has registered a complaintagainst the manufacturing company and the local distributorAnshul Pharam, who supplied the contaminated stock of the I Vfluid.

Investigating officer Dhagla Ram had said close to10,000 bottles of the IV fluid have so far been seized and areport of FSL (Forensic Scientific Laboratory) is awaited.

"As a precaution, we have kept the main operationtheatre and labour room closed for fumigation," said principalof the S N Medical College R K Aseri.