Chhattisgarh: 11 women die, 34 in critical state after undergoing surgery in govt camp

, Nov 11: Eleven

died while 33 were in a critical state after undergoing tubectomy surgery in a government medical camp in Bilaspur in

on Saturday.

Eighty-three women underwent the surgeries in five hours at the free sterilisation camp, organised by the Bilaspur district health department at the Nemichand Jain Hospital in the home district of state Home Minister Amar Agarwal as part of the family-planning programme. As per rules, the women undergoing the operation would get Rs 1,400 while he who brings them would get Rs 200 for each woman.

A number of women started vomiting a few hours after the surgery. Around 60 women fell sick and were admitted to various hospitals. Victims' kin alleged gross medical intelligence at the medical camp.

The state government set up a three-member panel to probe the allegations of medical negligence. Chief Minister Raman Singh met the victims at the hospitals and suspended four health officials, including two highly placed ones.

Singh ordered an inquiry and announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each for the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each for those who fell ill after the surgery. Minster Agrawal took "complete moral responsibility" for the tragedy but ruled out the question of resigning.

Three doctors were suspended later over the incident

Opposition Congress lashed out at the Raman Singh government in the state. Senior leader Digvijay Singh sought stern action against officials responsible for the tragedy and demanded Agarwal's resignation.

8 people die in a Sterilisation Camp in Chattisgarh. Govt must take a stern action against them. Can't imagine how could this happen ?

— digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) November 11, 2014

The Congress called a state-wide strike in protest on Wednesday.

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