8 women die after sterilisation surgery at Chhattisgarh government camp, 4 doctors suspended
Bilaspur: Eight women have died and 15 others are in critical condition after sterilization surgeries were conducted on them at a camp organized by the Chhattisgarh government in Bilaspur on Saturday.
According to reports, the camp was held in Pendari area in Bilaspur, which is also the home district of state Health Minister Amar Agarwal.
Around 80 women who underwent sterilisation at the free government-run camp in Chhattisgarh on Saturday fell ill shortly afterwards, the official said.
"Reports of a drop in pulse, vomiting and other ailments started pouring in on Monday from the women who underwent surgery," said Sonmani Borah, the commissioner for Bilaspur district where the camp was held.
"Since Monday eight women have died and 64 are in various hospitals."
Meanwhile, the health authorities have denied any negligence on their part.
Four health officials including Chief Medical Health Officer of Bilaspur have been suspended.
Television reports showed women on stretchers being rushed into hospital with anxious relatives by their side.
Borah said authorities would investigate the incident.
Authorities came under fire last year after a news channel unearthed footage showing scores of women dumped unconscious in a field following a mass sterilisation.
The women had all undergone surgical procedures at a hospital that local officials said was not equipped to accommodate such a large number of patients.
"There was no negligence. He is a senior doctor. We will probe (the incident)," the chief medical officer of Bilaspur R.K. Bhange said.
The state government has announced a compensation of Rs. 4 lakh each for the families of the deceased and Rs. 50,000 for those who are critical.
Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh) (10/11/2014): 4 women died after sterilization operation in govt. camp pic.twitter.com/gBQbPqx8d2
— ANI (@ANI_news) November 11, 20148 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, 2014And that too in Health Minister's Constituency ! He must resign.
— digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) November 11, 2014