MUMBAI
At least eight women died and 30 others were in serious condition in a suspected case of negligence at a government-run sterilization camp in Central India, reports said Tuesday.
According to media reports, 30-year-old Janaki Bai, was given sterilization surgery Saturday at the camp in Bilaspur district in central state of Chhattisgarh. She became the first casualty Monday morning after she complained of severe abdomen pain, fever and vomiting.
Later, seven more women died who were all said to have gone to the same camp and displayed similar symptoms.
“There is something seriously wrong in this episode. All the patients cannot have the same post-operative symptoms,” Dr. Saud Ansari, a resident doctor at Mumbai’s KEM hospital told Anadolu Agency Tuesday.
“Generally, sterilization is a safe procedure. Complications arise only when there are post-operation symptoms,” Ansari said. He added that it might be a suspected case of negligence since all victims had the same symptoms.
Brindra Karat, Communist Party of India leader, condemned the incident. She told the Asian News International Tuesday that the sterilization drive was a wrong policy approach that victimized women.
The tragic incident sent shockwaves throughout the country and many citizens took to social media to vent their anger. They called for the arrest of state Health Minister Amar Agarwal, who represents Bilaspur at the state legislature.
Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh bitterly criticized the state government and called for Agarwal’s resignation.
“Can’t imagine how could this happen? And that too in the health minister’s constituency! He must resign,” Singh tweeted.
Dr. Kamalpreet Singh, Director of Health Services, said strict action would be taken if any negligence was found, the Times of India daily quoted him as saying.
The government-run camp at Nemi Chand hospital in Bilaspur is part of the state government’s annual family-planning drive. Over 80 women were reportedly operated in five hours at the hospital Saturday.
The women who underwent the surgery were reportedly given an incentive of $24 each.
The government announced $3,350 as compensation for each family of the victim and $850 for those getting treatment at the hospital.
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