12 pregnant women die in Jodhpur hospital
By IANSThursday, February 24, 2011
JODHPUR - At least 12 pregnant women died of excessive bleeding at a government run hospital here after they were allegedly administered contaminated IV fluids, officials said Thursday. A probe has been launched into the incident.
Though the authorities are tight lipped over the incident, sources in the Ummaid Hospital told IANS that the authorities have begun an enquiry into whether the contamination was hospital-acquired or it had come from the manufacturer.
Family members of the women shouted slogans against the hospital authorities and blocked a road to the hospital Thursday after they expressed dissatisfaction over the hospital authorities’ explanation over the deaths.
“We have lost our daughter… they are unable to give us any explanation… it is a shame,” said R.K. Purohit, a relative of a women who died Wednesday.
Upset over the deaths in his home constituency, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has summoned hospital superintendent Narendra Changani to Jaipur to give a report.
“I have asked hospital authorities to give me details. I have also asked them to give me a report from where these glucose drips were bought and how the contamination was generated,” said Gehlot.
“Microbiological examination of the Indore-based company’s IV fluids has suggested presence of some bacteria. We have banned further use of the particular batch of IV fluids,” hospital superintendent Changani told media persons.
“A medical team consisting of a microbiologist and a gynaecologist from the Sawai Man Singh Hospital in Jaipur has been sent to Jodhpur for further investigation,” said a senior officer in the state’s medical and health department.
