<p>The recent deaths of five lactating mothers in quick succession in the Ballari Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS), and the latest casualty of another 25-year-old woman, Sumaiya, are deeply disturbing. </p><p>Equally alarming is the fact that the government has yet to determine a definitive cause of these deaths, prompting widespread concern about whether medical negligence, substandard drugs, or a combination of both, may be to blame. </p><p>All the fatalities reportedly occurred after the administration of IV fluids following cesarean surgeries. An expert team from the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, which investigated the issue, has ruled out medical negligence. </p>.<p>In another development, the Karnataka State Drug Testing Laboratory flagged the fluids, manufactured by a West Bengal-based company, as ‘Not of Standard Quality’ (NSG). But the Central Drugs Laboratory in Kolkata cleared the fluids as “safe”. </p><p>The company, in turn, has obtained a court stay on the ban imposed by the state government. If the fluids were, indeed, contaminated, one question remains: Why are the deaths confined to just one hospital? As authorities suggest, “Could only one batch have been affected?”</p>.<p>Interestingly, Ballari’s Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) is slightly lower than the state average. While Karnataka’s MMR is better than the national average, it still ranks fourth in the South, with Kerala holding the lowest position. This statistical comfort, however, rings hollow when faced with the reality of preventable deaths in a public hospital of the state. These tragedies point to a broader systemic failure —whether in the form of inadequate checks on medical supplies, gaps in hospital protocols or delayed responses when the issue first arose.</p>.<p>However, it is important that these deaths are not politicised. MMR has been stable, regardless of which party was in power and hence, political agendas should not cloud the gravity of the situation. The focus should be on concrete measures to prevent such incidents. </p><p>The state government must invest in better oversight of medical supplies, improve the training of healthcare professionals, and strengthen communication between hospitals and regulatory authorities. More importantly, there should be a rigorous monitoring framework in place to ensure that public healthcare institutions are held accountable and that maternal health is not compromised due to negligence or lack of resources. </p><p>It is not enough to claim that MMR has remained stable as even one preventable death is one too many. The government should act swiftly to address the immediate causes of these deaths and implement appropriate reforms. The families that lost their mothers, wives and daughters are enduring an unimaginable trauma. It is time for a collective effort to close the gaps in our healthcare system and prevent further loss of life.</p>
<p>The recent deaths of five lactating mothers in quick succession in the Ballari Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS), and the latest casualty of another 25-year-old woman, Sumaiya, are deeply disturbing. </p><p>Equally alarming is the fact that the government has yet to determine a definitive cause of these deaths, prompting widespread concern about whether medical negligence, substandard drugs, or a combination of both, may be to blame. </p><p>All the fatalities reportedly occurred after the administration of IV fluids following cesarean surgeries. An expert team from the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, which investigated the issue, has ruled out medical negligence. </p>.<p>In another development, the Karnataka State Drug Testing Laboratory flagged the fluids, manufactured by a West Bengal-based company, as ‘Not of Standard Quality’ (NSG). But the Central Drugs Laboratory in Kolkata cleared the fluids as “safe”. </p><p>The company, in turn, has obtained a court stay on the ban imposed by the state government. If the fluids were, indeed, contaminated, one question remains: Why are the deaths confined to just one hospital? As authorities suggest, “Could only one batch have been affected?”</p>.<p>Interestingly, Ballari’s Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) is slightly lower than the state average. While Karnataka’s MMR is better than the national average, it still ranks fourth in the South, with Kerala holding the lowest position. This statistical comfort, however, rings hollow when faced with the reality of preventable deaths in a public hospital of the state. These tragedies point to a broader systemic failure —whether in the form of inadequate checks on medical supplies, gaps in hospital protocols or delayed responses when the issue first arose.</p>.<p>However, it is important that these deaths are not politicised. MMR has been stable, regardless of which party was in power and hence, political agendas should not cloud the gravity of the situation. The focus should be on concrete measures to prevent such incidents. </p><p>The state government must invest in better oversight of medical supplies, improve the training of healthcare professionals, and strengthen communication between hospitals and regulatory authorities. More importantly, there should be a rigorous monitoring framework in place to ensure that public healthcare institutions are held accountable and that maternal health is not compromised due to negligence or lack of resources. </p><p>It is not enough to claim that MMR has remained stable as even one preventable death is one too many. The government should act swiftly to address the immediate causes of these deaths and implement appropriate reforms. The families that lost their mothers, wives and daughters are enduring an unimaginable trauma. It is time for a collective effort to close the gaps in our healthcare system and prevent further loss of life.</p>
