Two patients in the ICU of a hospital in Karnataka died allegedly due to power failure (Representational)
Bangalore:
Two patients in the Intensive Care Unit or ICU of a hospital in Karnataka’s Ballari died allegedly during a power cut, with the Karnataka government denying the allegation that it was ready to investigate the issue, which has moved the state assembly today. shook it.
Maula Hussain, 35, suffering from kidney-related ailments, and Chettemma, 30, a snakebite victim, died on Wednesday at 9:30 am and 9 am at the Vijayanagara Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) in Ballari, the district headquarters town. :35 am respectively.
Some reports have attributed the deaths to power cuts at the Government Medical College Hospital and a faulty power generator or backup.
Denying the allegation, VIMS and the government said the deaths were not due to power cuts, and backup was readily available.
In the assembly, the opposition Congress claimed that three people had actually died due to alleged negligence on the part of the government and demanded the resignation of Health Minister K Sudhakar.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah said that there was a power cut from 8 am to 10:30 am and also the generator was not working and three people who were in ICU died. . Ventilators were not working.
He held the director of the medical college, the health department, ministers and officials, the deputy commissioner of the district responsible for the deaths and the government should take responsibility.
Also, questioning why the generator was not kept easily available in working condition, he further said that strict action should be taken against the erring officials and a compensation of Rs 25 lakh each to the family of those who died. should be given immediately.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister JC Madhuswamy, referring to the “language used in the notice” by the Leader of the Opposition to raise the issue, said this was not expected from Siddaramaiah.
“The letter stated that the government was directly responsible for the deaths, and that they were not accidental, but a government-sponsored murder … what is it?” The minister asked.
This led to a heated argument between Mr. Madhuswamy and Mr. Siddaramaiah, in which MLAs from both sides also participated.
Assembly Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri intervened and brought the situation under control.
Karnataka’s Ballari district in-charge minister B Sriramulu, in his reply on behalf of the government, shared details about the two deaths and said it was not due to a power outage.
He said, “Hundred percent! Moula Hussain and Chettemma did not die due to power failure and the medical superintendent there has also given a report in this regard… They were suffering from health problems.” One and a half hour power backup in the hospital.
Siddaramaiah demanded a probe, arguing that there were reports that the deaths were due to power shortage and non-availability of power backup.
He said the government should accept its failure and “not play on the issue of deaths.” Mr Madhuswamy said that one death was due to chronic kidney disease and the other was due to snakebite, and there was adequate power backup.
The minister said: “Still if there is doubt, we will get the inquiry done and report back to the House. If there is any mistake on the part of the hospital, compensation to the family will be considered and action will be taken against those responsible.”
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)