Karnataka Health Minister to discuss 'high-level' probe with CM over maternal deaths
Belagavi (Karnataka), Dec 17: Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Tuesday told the Legislative Council that he is in favour of a "high-level" probe into the recent maternal deaths in Ballari district. He also said the government would take a final decision after discussing it with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
With members demanding a high-level probe into such deaths, he said the government would decide on it after reviewing the report by an expert committee, headed by the Development Commissioner, which is currently investigating the issue.
The Minister further said he has ordered a "maternal death audit," which will help in identifying responsibility and pursuing the closure of the company that allegedly supplied the substandard Ringer Lactate solution, suspected to have caused the deaths.
"Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the maternal deaths and identify those responsible. However, several members (MLCs) have called for a higher-level probe, either through a Special Investigation Team (SIT), a judicial inquiry, or a house panel. I will discuss this with the Chief Minister before deciding on further action," Rao said.
Making a statement in the House following the five maternal deaths at Ballari government hospital, he said, "We will also take a report from the committee headed by the Development Commissioner, which is probing the matter. I am also of the view that there should be a high-level probe. I will speak to the Chief Minister and decide. We are ready for a probe, and who should conduct it will be decided after consulting the CM."
Noting that he has ordered an investigation into every maternal death that has occurred in the state this year, especially those since August at hospitals following the use of Ringer Lactate solution, the Minister said, "I have directed a maternal death audit and asked for the report to be submitted."
"We want the truth to come out, and we don't want to hide anything. There should be no tolerance for such incidents (deaths)... This is a failure in our system," he said, while also calling for stringent laws to counter the pharma lobby in the country and a robust system to ensure drug quality is not compromised.
The Minister stated that a sudden surge in maternal deaths was reported at the Ballari district hospital between November 9 and 11. The deaths allegedly occurred following caesarean operations at the hospital.
Of the 34 caesarean operations performed during those three days, seven cases developed complications.
Out of the seven patients who developed complications, five died, while two were discharged from the hospital, he said.
Amid concerns that the maternal deaths could be linked to substandard Ringer Lactate solution, which is administered intravenously to restore hydration and fluid balance, Rao said all batches of the solution have been withdrawn from use.
The Chief Minister chaired a meeting following these maternal deaths and ordered a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of each deceased, Rao added.
He also directed the suspension of the Drugs Controller and the issuance of a show-cause notice to the Managing Director (MD) of Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (KSMSCL), Rao said.
The government has further decided to blacklist 'Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical', the company that supplied the solution, and to prosecute it. Additionally, the company has been asked to pay compensation to the families of the victims, Rao added.
Since the company's manufacturing process was found to be "improper" by the Drugs Controller of India, the state government and the West Bengal government, a "stoppage notice" has been issued to the company. As a result, the company is prohibited from manufacturing any drugs at its facility until further orders, he added.
Pointing out that the government had also written to the Drugs Controller of India requesting a probe into Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical and appropriate action against it, the Minister stated that the existing legislation concerning drug quality in the country is weak, making it reportedly difficult to hold pharma companies accountable.
He said some companies manufacture one quality of drugs for export and a different quality for domestic supply. "There should be no difference in the quality of drugs; there should be only one standard, and it cannot be compromised. However, we are unable to implement this fully across the country."
Highlighting that the batches of Ringer Lactate solution sent to Ballari were tested by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)-accredited labs, the Minister questioned the quality of tests conducted in those labs.
He added that an expert committee, chaired by the Development Commissioner, has been formed to investigate the deaths and all related aspects, including what led to them, where the fault lies, and who is responsible. "They are yet to submit a report," he said.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
