Ballari Maternal Deaths: Drug Controller Suspended, Criminal Case Ordered By CM
- CM instructs to blacklist the West Bengal-based company supplying Ringer’s Lactate solution and file a criminal case against them.
Bengaluru, Nov 30: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the suspension of Drug Controller Umesh in connection with the maternal deaths at Ballari District Hospital due to negligence.
Speaking to the media after a high-level meeting chaired by him to address the maternal deaths, the CM stated that the West Bengal-based company supplying the Ringer’s Lactate solution used in the hospital has been blacklisted, and instructions have been given to file a criminal case against the company.
The government has already announced a compensation of ₹2 lakh for the victims’ families. Additionally, the CM directed officials to recover compensation from the drug supplier and distribute it to the families of the deceased.
To investigate similar incidents reported in various hospitals across the state, the government has decided to form an expert committee headed by the Development Secretary, the CM added.
Government Actions:
- Drug Recall: All batches of the Ringer’s Lactate solution have been withdrawn, and samples sent for laboratory testing.
- Statewide Review: A detailed investigation into similar incidents in hospitals across Karnataka has been initiated.
Proposed Reforms:
- The Chief Minister directed the reorganization of the drug procurement process and the Drug Control Department, modeled on Tamil Nadu’s system.
- A proposal will be submitted in the next Cabinet meeting to strengthen drug regulation laws.
Meeting Highlights:
- Officials were instructed to ensure such incidents do not recur and to identify those responsible for the tragedy once laboratory reports are available.
- The need to curb the influence of the “medicine mafia” was also discussed, with a recommendation to approach the central government for stricter drug regulation laws.
