Over 25 Lokayukta Officials Inspect Ballari Dist Hospital Following Maternal Deaths

Ballari: A team of Lokayukta officials conducted a detailed investigation at the Ballari district following the deaths of five postpartum women within a month. The team, comprising over 25 officials, inspected the maternity ward, ICU, and the hospital’s medicine storage facility. The investigation is being led by Lokayukta SP Siddaraju, said sources.

Officials closely examined the hospital’s pharmaceutical division, focusing on intravenous (IV) and Ringer’s lactate (RL) fluids. Four Lokayukta officers are specifically tasked with determining the cause of the women’s critical conditions and subsequent deaths.

BJP Raises Concerns, Files Complaint with Lokayukta

The deaths have drawn sharp criticism from the opposition BJP, which expressed grief over the incident and blamed the state government for negligence. A BJP delegation, including Legislative Council Opposition Leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, MLA CK Ramamurthy, and MLC Ravikumar, visited the Lokayukta office in Bengaluru to lodge a formal complaint. The delegation urged the Lokayukta to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the tragic deaths.

Addressing the issue, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao assured that a detailed inquiry is underway to identify lapses. “We are investigating the deficiencies in the system and taking steps to ensure such incidents do not recur. Actions are being initiated against the pharmaceutical company responsible for the medicines,” he said.

The minister also announced compensation for the families of the deceased. “We have declared financial relief for the bereaved families. This is a wake-up call, and stringent measures will be taken to avoid such tragedies in the future,” he added.