VIMSAR deaths not due to drug side effects: Odisha minister

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Apr 17: 

The deaths of the three pregnant women at VSS Institute of Medical Science and Research (VIMSAR) in Burla in Odisha’s Sambalpur district soon after Caesarean section was not due to side effects of drugs administered to them, revealed Health and Family Welfare minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak here today.

Nayak said explanation has been sought from VIMSAR authorities as to why post-mortem was not conducted on the deceased women.

The Minister informed that VIMSAR authorities have been asked to further probe into the deaths.

“Caesarean section was conducted on nine pregnant women that day, same drugs were administered to all of them. Therefore these deaths were not due to drug side effects, the expert committee has said in its report. Investigations are on to find out if there was any other reason behind the deaths. We have directed the director of VIMSAR to explain why post-mortem was not conducted on the deceased,” Nayak told reporters here.

It may be recalled here that three pregnant women had died at VIMSAR, Burla about five hours after undergoing caesarean section at the hospital on Friday last leading to allegations that the deaths were caused due to negligence on the part of the attending doctors.

After a hue and cry over the deaths, the Health minister had announced an inquiry by an expert committee last Saturday evening. The committee visited VIMSAR on Monday and conducted the inquiry by questioning the attending doctors and other staff while seizing medicines used during the surgery.

Meanwhile, in a related development the state government today replaced DMET Babaji Charan Das in his place Prof. Dr Prakash Chandra Mohapatra who is presently posted as principal SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack has been appointed as the DMET.