Poison in drugs given to women: inquiry

State chapter of IMA says action taken against doctors to protect drug mafia

November 15, 2014 02:37 am | Updated November 17, 2021 01:59 am IST - RAIPUR:

Zinc phosphide, used to make rat poison, was found in the medicines given to women after sterilisation at Pendhri in Bilaspur district, which resulted in 12 deaths, according to a preliminary inquiry by the Chhattisgarh Health Department.

The Chhattisgarh government on Friday appointed a one-member judicial commission to investigate the deaths of women who underwent sterilisation procedure in Bilaspur district.

“Former judge Antia Jha will investigate the case and will submit a report within three months. She will investigate the deaths which occurred in family planning camps in Pendari and Guerella area,” said a statement issued by the Chhattisgarh Directorate of Public Relations (DPR).

Twelve women had died and many were admitted to hospital in Pendari and one woman died in Guarella area of Bilaspur earlier this week.

“The one-member commission will investigate even minute details and help the government in fixing responsibility,” added the DPR statement.

Congress blames pharma company

The Congress has alleged that the Raipur-based Mahavar Pharma Limited, which manufactured the medicines given to the patients after sterilisation, had been accused of making defective medicines earlier. The company has eight cases against it and was banned after the issue was raised in the Assembly, claimed the party.

“Despite having cases against the company for bogus medicines, it was allowed to carry on its business,” alleged State Congress secretary Shailesh Nitin Trivedi.

No info. on camp: arrested doctor

Meanwhile, the suspended Chief Medical Officer of Bilaspur, Dr. Bhange claimed on Friday that he had no information about the family planning camp in Pendari area of Bilaspur.

“I was told to arrange the equipment, but I was never told about the camp in Pendari,” Dr. Bhange told reporters.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA), Chhattisgarh chapter, has defended the doctors and called the action against them arbitrary. According to Dr. S. Gosh of the IMA, the doctors had been made “scapegoats.”

“The doctors were being pressured to meet the targets. The incident happened because of faulty medicines, but there is an attempt to save the drug mafia by putting the blame on the doctors,” said Dr. S.C. Madhida.

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