Jodhpur maternity deaths toll at 17

The toll in the maternity deaths in a Jodhpur hospital in Rajasthan due to infected intravenous fluid has risen to 16 with another woman succumbing.

The patient, Prem Kanwar, was rushed to the MG Hospital from Umaid Hospital in a serious condition in January end. She succumbed on Sunday, reports said.

At least 13 women had died after childbirth at the Umaid Hospital in Jodhpur in the last fortnight of February. Two more women, who were shifted to MG Hospital in a critical state, have also succumbed, taking the total number of casualties to 17 with the latest casualty.

Five of the babies delivered by the effected women were stillborn, while another was premature.

The central and state governments have instituted several inquiries into the deaths.

The deaths had been caused by profuse bleeding allegedly due to administration of contaminated drip that led to serious post-delivery complications.

The state government has ordered suspension of drug inspector Dinesh Taneja and an employee of the Umaid Hospital on Feb 27.

It had also announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased, besides blacklisting two pharmaceutical and surgical equipment firms.

Criminal cases have been registered under the IPC Section 328 (causing hurt by means of poison) against Indore-based Parental Surgical India Private Limited and its local distributor for allegedly supplying contaminated IV fluid.