JOIN USDoctor responsible for botched surgeries arrested
The surgeon, who has been arrested for conducting 83 sterilisation surgeries at a village in Bilaspur district that left 12 women dead, on Thursday accused the administration of framing him and blamed “poor quality” medicines supplied by the state government for the tragedy.
Laparoscopic surgeon Dr R K Gupta, who was taken into custody from his relatives’ place in neighbouring Balodabazar district on Wednesday night, accused the administration of framing him and said health officials, including the chief medical and health officer, block medical officer and the block health officer should be held equally responsible for the incident.
“Women’s condition deteriorated after they were given a painkiller and an antibiotic following the surgery. Women also complained of vomiting after consuming those medicines,” Dr Gupta, who performed tubectomy on 83 women at a state-run camp in Pendari village on Saturday which claimed the lives of 12 women and left many critical, told reporters on Thursday at a police station in Bilaspur.
“The drug infection possibly has led to the deaths of the women. However, only post-mortem reports can establish the exact cause behind the causalities and complications,” he said. He said improper sterilisation of surgery equipment was not the reason for the deaths. Questioning the quality of medicines, he said: “As per news reports, the medicines provided at the camp were not properly checked. Local medicines were supplied. If good medicines had been provided, then this incident would not have taken place,” he said.
Accusing the state government of supplying substandard medicines, Gupta said: “We cannot predict the quality of medicines just by seeing it. Only after examination one can ascertain its quality. The government is responsible for its arrangement and they should have checked it. Medicines are procured through tender and the lowest bidding manufacturer is preferred. “They can’t blame me alone for the incident. Entire administration is responsible for it. Charges imposed on me should also be imposed on all suspended officials and BHO.” he added.