A tragic fifth maternal death has been reported at the Ballari Medical College and Research Centre (BMCRC), raising concerns over patient care at the hospital. The latest fatality occurred on December 5, following complications after a cesarean section performed on 23-year-old Kolmi Sumaiya, who had been admitted on November 11. Despite undergoing dialysis, Sumaiya succumbed to renal failure after a series of complications.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has vowed to investigate the death, acknowledging the string of fatalities in the past month, which now totals five. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, visibly moved, stated he was willing to resign if it would help rectify the situation, emphasizing that he was committed to ensuring accountability for these tragedies.
According to health officials, Sumaiya’s death followed a prolonged battle with hypotension and cardiac arrest, despite efforts to stabilize her through CPR. The recent maternal deaths have been linked to complications following cesarean sections, with five out of seven complicated cases resulting in fatalities, although the newborns have all been reported as healthy.
Minister Rao has also raised concerns about drugs used in the cases, pointing to a batch of Ringer Lactate supplied by a West Bengal-based pharmaceutical company. He called for an investigation into whether these drugs were linked to the deaths, and questioned the approval of drugs previously rejected by Karnataka.
The opposition has criticized the government’s handling of the issue, with Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka accusing the ruling Congress of neglecting women’s health despite its financial schemes.
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