Chhattisgarh sterilisation horror: Death toll rises to 12

The sterilization botch up at a state-run camp in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district, which has evoked hue and cry from all corners, has claimed the lives of four more women, taking the total toll to 12.

Nearly 50 other women are still critical in hospital.

Around 60 women had been admitted to different hospitals after they developed post-operative complications at a sterilisation camp organised by the government at a private hospital in Pendari village on the outskirts of Bilaspur town on Saturday, district Collector Siddharth Komal Pardeshi said.

Following the incident, the state government has suspended four health officials and has set up an enquiry.

Chief Minister Raman Singh said prima facie the tragedy had occurred due to negligence and ordered registration of an FIR against Gupta under whose supervision the camp was held and surgeries performed.

“It’s a very unfortunate incident. Prime facie it appears that the incident occurred due to negligence (by doctors). A detailed enquiry will be conducted keeping in view all angles including the quality of the medicines, standard of the surgery, post operative measures and others,” he said.

Image: Women who underwent sterilization surgeries receive treatment at the CIMS hospital in Bilaspur. Photograph: PTI photo