Raipur: Congress has called a State wide Bandh (shutdown) today in Chhattisgarh to protest against Bilaspur sterilization tragedy where death toll has reached over 10, while close to 40 women are still critical in hospital. The Party has also demanded the resignation of chief minister Raman Singh and health minister Amar Agarwal
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi said an statement, “Extremely saddened to hear of the deaths in a sterilization camp in Chhattisgarh. My condolences to the families who lost loved ones in this terrible tragedy”.
“The government must take strict action against the guilty and ensure the best possible treatment and care for those who are still in a critical condition”, he added.
The incident took place on Saturday when 83 women underwent Sterilization surgery in a camp organised by the State government at a private hospital in Pendari village on the outskirts of Bilaspur town. However, within 24 hours of the surgery most of women began vomiting and complained of abdominal pain following which 60 were rushed to different hospitals.
Upon preliminary examination doctors have suggested the possible cause of this to be hypovolemic shock. It is an emergency condition in which severe blood and fluid loss make the heart unable to pump enough blood to the body, or septic infection as possible causes for the deaths.
The Government has ordered an FIR against the Surgeon of Private Hospital under whose supervision, this surgery was performed. Four senior officials of Health Department have been suspended. The Government has constituted a 3-member committee to investigate the cause of tragedy.
The State Government has also allowed a compensation of Rs. 4 Lakh to the family of deceased, while those admitted to hospitals would get Rs. 50000 each. Moreover the State Government would bear the entire cost of treatment.