Ballari maternal deaths: Karnataka Health Secretary urges probe of quality of Ringer's Lactate batches supplied

Four people had died in Ballari.

Mysuru: Following four maternal deaths reported in Ballari district hospital between November 9 and 11, Commissioner of Food Safety K Srinivas has been appointed as the administrative head of the State Drugs Control Department.

Also, Deputy Drugs Controller of Mysuru regional office B P Arun has been appointed as licensing controlling and approving authority under Drugs Cosmetics Act 1940.

Meanwhile, Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Department, Karnataka, Harsh Gupta has written to the Drugs Controller General (India), Directorate General of Health Services stating "four maternal deaths in Ballari district hospital between November 9 and 11, wherein it has been noticed that the 'Compound Sodium Lactate Injection I P (Ringer's Lactate I P)' batches supplied by the respective manufacturer had just been used. The matter is under investigation."

He has urged him to get the matter investigated on quality of respective drug supplied and initiate necessary action against the manufacturer and other concerned on priority basis.

Harsh Gupta has even asked him to direct the Drugs Controller of West Bengal and subordinate zonal officers to extend cooperation during the investigation at the manufacturing unit by the officers of the respective State.