India - 15 dead, Scores hospitalized after government run sterilization in Chhattisgarh - 18 total deaths suspected linked drugs tainted with rodenticide

[Ronan Kelly]

Eight Indian women die, dozens critical after mass sterilisation
2312
Tuesday 11 November 2014 10.15

Eight women have died in India and dozens more are in hospital, many in a critical condition, after a state-run mass sterilisation.

Many of the more than 80 women who underwent sterilisation at the free government-run camp in the central state of Chhattisgarh on Saturday fell ill shortly afterwards, a local official said.

"Reports of a drop in pulse, vomiting and other ailments started pouring in [yesterday] from the women who underwent surgery," said Sonmani Borah, the commissioner for Bilaspur district where the camp was held.

"Eight women have died and 64 are in various hospitals."
...

http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/1111/658351-india/

Chhattisgarh: 4 doctors suspended post sterilisation deaths in Bilaspur Eight women die, dozens critical after mass sterilisation
AFP
Raipur: Eight women have died in Chhattisgarh and dozens more are in a critical condition after a state-run sterilisation programme designed to control the country’s billion-plus population went badly wrong, officials said Tuesday. More than 60 women are in hospital after suffering complications from the surgery over the weekend and 24 of them are seriously ill, authorities in the central state of Chhattisgarh said.
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Read more at: http://www.livemint.com/Politics/Nha...tm_source=copy

Chhattisgarh: Sterilisation deaths to be probed, govt suspends 4 doctors

by FP Staff Nov 11, 2014 16:20 IST

A mass sterilization camp organized by the Chhatisgarh state government in Bilaspur turned into a mass tragedy as eight women died and some 30 others are in a critical condition. Soon after reports of the death of the women came to light, the Chhattisgarh government suspended four doctors for medical negligence in the case. An FIR has also been registered against the doctors.
Here's what we know so far:
* Eight women had died after they underwent sterilisation surgeries at a camp on the outskirts of Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh. The women had been discharged on Saturday after being given medicines. However, within 24 hours of the surgery, many women complained of vomiting and abdominal pain.
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http://www.firstpost.com/india/chhattisgarh-sterilisation-deaths-to-be-probed-govt-suspends-4-doctors-1797583.html

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: India - 8 dead, 64 hospitalized after government run sterilization in Chhattisgarh

12 November 2014
India sterilisation surgery death toll rises to 11
By Sunrita Sen, dpa

New Delhi (dpa) - The death toll from botched sterilization surgeries rose to 11 in central India Wednesday, and a general strike was called in the region to protest alleged medical malpractice.

Tubectomy operations were carried out on 83 women as part of a national programme to control birth rates at a state-run hospital in Chhattisgarh state's Bilaspur district Saturday.

On Monday, the women complained of pain, nausea and fever, after which eight of them died.

Three more women have died at hospitals since Tuesday evening, district official NK Tekam said by phone. Fifty-nine women were admitted at the hospital, six in serious condition.
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http://www.dpa-international.com/news/asia/india-sterilisation-surgery-death-toll-rises-to-11-a-43258495.html

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: India - 11 dead, 59 hospitalized after government run sterilization in Chhattisgarh

'Rusty' instruments used at Chhattisgarh sterilization camp where 13 died
Reuters | Nov 12, 2014, 03.40 PM IST

BHUBANESWAR: The number of women who died after operations performed by a doctor accused of using rusty equipment at a mass sterilization "camp" in India rose to 13 on Wednesday, highlighting the dangers of the world's largest surgical contraception programme.
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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Rusty-instruments-used-at-Chhattisgarh-sterilization-camp-where-13-died/articleshow/45122296.cms

Botched sterilization surgeries: 16 more women admitted to hospital in Chhattisgarh, HC seeks report from state govt
Anuja Jaiswal,TNN | Nov 12, 2014, 04.14 PM IST

RAIPUR: Sixteen more women were admitted to hospital on Wednesday following complications arising out of sterilization surgeries conducted earlier at two other health camps at Pendra and Marwahi in Chhattisgarh, even as high court took suo motu cognizance of sterilization deaths in the state and issued a notice to the state govt.
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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Botched-sterilization-surgeries-16-more-women-admitted-to-hospital-in-Chhattisgarh-HC-seeks-report-from-state-govt/articleshow/45122750.cms

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: India - 13 dead, Scores hospitalized after government run sterilization in Chhattisgarh

So far 15 deaths, seven women ventilation, 92 recruitment, Dr RK Gupta arrested
bhaskar News | Nov 13, 2,014, 11:09 AM IST

Bilaspur / Raipur. sterilization in terms of the number of deaths is increasing. So far 15 deaths have been. Seven women ventilation. The case is quite serious means. So far doctors extent that their disease is not known. Among medical term, doctors still have not been able to diagnose what the hell is the matter? Because it takes seven days to get the blood culture report. So, they suffer vomiting and diarrhea medicines only are women. Here, Bilaspur Pendari after the case has been exposed to 100 km Gurela. 26 operation disposed in two hours. These two Baiga women and Mangli Bai Bai -cati sterilization was also the officially Bagaon can not be castrated. Because they come in a protected tribe. They were killed by teal. All other women are hospitalized. Overall, the number of patients admitted to hospitals in Bilaspur now has 92. Meanwhile, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the seven-member team of experts take stock of the victims saw hospitals and doctors questioned.
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http://www.bhaskar.com/news/CHH-RAI-sterilization-scandal-vomiting-diarrhea-only-being-treated-4805217-PHO.html

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: India - 15 dead, Scores hospitalized after government run sterilization in Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh sterilisation tragedy: Directors of drug company arrested; doctor blames govt

Written by Ashutosh Bhardwaj | Raipur | Posted: November 14, 2014 9:20 am

In a late night action yesterday, the Chhattisgarh police arrested the directors of Mahavar Pharama Pvt Ltd, a manufacturer of antibiotic Ciprofloxacin consumed by the victims of the Bilaspur laparoscopic surgeries. The arrested directors are Ramesh Mahavar and his son Sumit Mahavar.

The police have said that the company did not manufacture the drugs here, bought from elsewhere and merely packaged it in the factory. The food and drug department noted that the company did not have proper equipment to manufacture drugs. A case of forgery under Section 420 of IPC has been registered against the duo.

However, these arrests raise serious questions over the health department and medicare in Chhattisgarh. The company had been operating in the state capital for over a decade. While the drug department failed to notice its allegedly illegal operations, the health ministry regularly purchased and used its medicines in bulk.
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- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/ind....73wO4rfl.dpuf

Post-Mortems of Victims Point to Tainted Medication in India Sterilization Deaths
By SUHASINI RAJ and ELLEN BARRYNOV. 13, 2014

NEW DELHI ? Post-mortem examinations of several women who died after surgery at a government sterilization camp last weekend in central India suggest that tainted medications might be to blame, rather than the unsanitary conditions or the assembly-line haste of the operations, a district medical officer said Thursday.

Initially, health officials suspected that 12 women succumbed to septic shock from infections contracted during their tubal ligation operations on Saturday, in the state of Chhattisgarh. The surgeon who operated on most of them, Dr. R. K. Gupta, was arrested on Wednesday on charges of culpable homicide.

However, the district medical officer, Dr. M. A. Jeemani, said Thursday that tainted medicines might be to blame. ?Our earlier claim that the deaths were due to septicemia seem to be coming off,? he said. Instead, he added, ?What I have gathered after the first few post-mortems is that it could be due to the administering of spurious medicines.?
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http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/14/world/asia/tainted-drugs-suspected-in-india-sterilization-deaths.html?_r=0

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: India - 15 dead, Scores hospitalized after government run sterilization in Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh sterilisation deaths: Rodenticide found in tablets given to women who died after surgery
IndiaToday.in New Delhi, November 15, 2014 | Edited by Satya Prakash | UPDATED 10:18 IST



Ciprocin-500 tablets manufactured by Mahawar Pharma Pvt Ltd were administered to the women both at Pendari and Gaurela sterilisation camps after their procedures.Chhattisgarh health authorities have said that drugs contaminated with zinc phosphide, a chemical used to make rat poison, could be behind deaths of 13 women who died in Bilaspur after undergoing tubectomies in government sterilisation camps.

"Prima facie it can be said that the condition of the women (operated at camps) deteriorated after consuming zinc phosphide-contaminated drugs. The symptoms witnessed in women were those generally seen after consuming zinc phosphide commonly used in rodenticide," Principal Secretary of Health Department Dr Alok Shukla told reporters after visiting the affected women here at Apollo Hospital, reported PTI.

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Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/c.../1/400906.html

Chhattisgarh sterilization deaths: Another drug company's director arrested
Anuja Jaiswal,TNN | Nov 15, 2014, 05.34 PM IST

BILASPUR: Continuing its crackdown on suppliers of the suspected spurious drugs, the Bilapsur Police arrested the Director of Kavita pharmaceuticals in Bilaspur, Rakesh Khare, late Friday night.

Khare is second pharmaceutical manufacturer and supplier to be arrested in connection with the botched sterilizations that have claimed 13 lives and left another 100 odd women ailing. The police has earlier arrested the directors of Mahavar Pharma Pvt Ltd, Ramesh Mahawa and his son, Sumit Mahawar. They all have been booked under Section 420 of the IPC.

Both the companies are suspected to have supplied the antibiotic, Ciprocin 500mg, which were distributed to the women, post sterilization procedure. Traces of rodenticide, Zinc Phosphide, have been found in the medicines and are suspected to be the cause behind the tragedy.
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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Chhattisgarh-sterilization-deaths-Another-drug-companys-director-arrested/articleshow/45159031.cms

Sterilization deaths: Rahul Gandhi accuses Chhattisgarh govt of cover-up
Anuja Jaiswal,TNN | Nov 15, 2014, 05.09 PM IST

BILASPUR (CHHATTISGARH): Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday accused the Chhattisgarh government of attempting to "cover up" its own follies in the botched sterilization deaths and alleged that "rampant corruption" prevailing in the government setup was responsible for the tragedy.

Rahul, who visited the families of some of the victims at Amsena Village and met some patients recuperating at Apollo Hospital, Bilaspur, on Saturday said the government had failed to fulfill its responsibilities of providing safe and quality health care to the people. "It's not just fake drugs but corruption in the government, which allowed such spurious procurements, that has claimed lives here", he told newsmen later while adding that the government was now destroying evidence to save itself.
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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Sterilization-deaths-Rahul-Gandhi-accuses-Chhattisgarh-govt-of-cover-up/articleshow/45158861.cms

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: India - 15 dead, Scores hospitalized after government run sterilization in Chhattisgarh - drugs tainted with rodenticide suspected

Siprosin medicine and killed two in Bilaspur
IANS | Nov 15, six one a.m. at 2 014 PM | Updated Nov 15, at 2,014th six fifty-nine PM

Bilaspur. Chhattisgarh Siprosin banned toxic drug that killed two people. Indeed, on Thursday died in the state during the treatment of the elderly. Women in government camps after the operation was the same drug. Thus far 18 people have died, including 15 women. Sonmani Bora said the Divisional Commissioner Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh Hospitals and Medical Sciences Institute (Simms) Two persons were killed. Also continue to treat sick people.
He also explained that some people cold, cough and fever are reported, the Tktpur and the surrounding area Gniari area for treatment were a private doctor. The personal doctor to a patient Siprosin 500 mg antibiotics, paracetamol, Setrigin etc. were given drugs. Then Siprosin people vomiting drug intake, complained of swelling in the body.
Anjori resident critically ill Pendari Suryavanshi (75), including a half-dozen patients admitted Simms was where Anjori died on Thursday night. Narayani Hospital on Friday at the Mangla Chowk Lal resident Ghutku severe Mnderipara Suryavanshi (35) was killed.
Female resident of the village Medpara Hrkunvr (60) was also undergoing treatment at Simms, who died in the afternoon. On the other hand, far from deteriorating health after sterilization has killed 15 women.

http://khabar.ibnlive.in.com/news/130675/1

[Emily]

Re: India - 15 dead, Scores hospitalized after government run sterilization in Chhattisgarh - 18 total deaths suspected linked drugs tainted with rodenticide

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/india-steri...icines-1474841

India Sterilisation Deaths: Race to Curb Population with Rusty Scalpels and Spurious Medicines?

By Jayalakshmi K
November 14, 2014 12:17 GMT

...
Gupta said he generally took between two and five minutes on each operation, but gave his assistants time to clean scalpels.

"They are dipped in spirit after an operation and then re-used. If I feel it is not working, well, I change it. I do about 10 operations with the same knife."
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Reports suggest that women were made to lie on the floor after the surgeries. Some of the women may have died of toxic shock because of contaminated surgical equipment, Amar Singh Thakur, Bilaspur's Joint Director of Health, told NDTV.
...Sterilisation in India largely means tubectomy with women offered as scapegoats for the measly 'incentive' of Rs 880. Middlemen take away some of this under some pretext or the other.

Low rate of vasectomies

Call it the macho culture, or simply that men fear the prick and prefer to shove their wives on the operating table, but in India vasectomies only make up 2-3% of the sterilisation procedures.

These are much simpler than tubectomies and hardly go too deep into the skin, says the doctor who has been with the family welfare programme....

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: India - 15 dead, Scores hospitalized after government run sterilization in Chhattisgarh - 18 total deaths suspected linked drugs tainted with rodenticide

Yogesh Jain and Raman Kataria: The pathology of a public health tragedy
3 Dec, 14 | by BMJ Group


The recent deaths of 13 women in India operated on at a sterilization camp in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, has thrown up urgent questions on the delivery of these services. As doctors observing health systems for the poor from close quarters in Bilaspur for the last fifteen years, we are convinced this was a tragedy waiting to happen. It is a collective failure of our society as a whole to see the stark inequity that erodes the health system, which these poor women have had to pay for with their lives.


A factfinding investigation has revealed that a single laparoscope was used for all 83 surgeries performed at the camp that Dr. Raman Kataria (1)day. Between procedures it was cleaned by dipping into a bowl of iodine-tinged water, wiped dry, and used in the next woman. Through meticulously arranged duties of the staff, the surgeon could maintain a speed of performing each procedure within one minute. Eighty-three surgeries took a little over 90 minutes. None of the staff changed gloves between each one. The needles and syringes were reused. After being handed an incentive of Rs. 600 (US$10) and 10 tablets each of an antibiotic and an analgesic, the women went back to their villages. Preliminary investigations also suggest the antibiotics were laced with toxins, and are likely to have caused these deaths. Apparently, all regulations that should guide procurement of these drugs by the state were flouted.

This was not an unusual day. It was just another sterilization camp in rural India, meant for poor women. These surgeries are done at a mass level ostensibly to fulfil the large unmet need of people as well as the planned targets of India?s family planning program.
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http://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2014/12/03/yogesh-jain-and-raman-kataria-the-pathology-of-a-public-health-tragedy/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+bmj%2Fblogs+%28Latest+BMJ+blogs%29&g=w_bmj-com

India?s latest sterilisation camp massacre
BMJ 2014; 349 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g7282 (Published 01 December 2014)
Cite this as: BMJ 2014;349:g7282

Abhijit Das, director, Sana Contractor, research manager
Author affiliations
Correspondence to: Sana Contractor sana@chsj.org
The desire to apportion immediate blame should not detract from the urgent need to overhaul the country?s approach to family planning

The deaths of 13 women operated on at a sterilisation camp in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, have caused a stir in India and beyond.1 One surgeon conducted 83 sterilisations in six hours?much higher than the government limit of 30 a day.2 Speculations about who is responsible for these deaths abound. Amid the current media storm we should remember that complications and deaths resulting from poor quality of care in sterilisation camps are routine in India. The continued emphasis on mass female sterilisation, poor quality of services, and deep rooted coercion are all signs of a family planning programme that assigns little value to women?s lives, especially those of poor women, who are viewed as ?irresponsible breeders.?

Fuelled by global propaganda about a ?population explosion,? policy makers have long been concerned by India?s population. As a result, the family planning programme focuses on ?population stabilisation? rather than providing couples with a range of contraceptive choices. Sterilisation, which is viewed as a foolproof method to ensure women do not reproduce, is given priority, accounting for 72% of use of modern contraception methods in India.3

In reality, however, population growth in India has been slowing over the past two decades. Many states have reached a replacement fertility rate of 2.1, which has long been seen as the holy grail of India?s population policy.4 Today, most babies are born to young people having their first, second, or, in very few cases, third child.5 These couples need temporary methods to either delay the birth of their first child or to ensure spacing between subsequent children. Yet, female sterilisation continues to be the mainstay of the family planning programme.

This programme is also riddled with prejudice?women bear the burden of family planning, whereas men?s responsibility is not addressed in a meaningful way. Tubal ligations, as a proportion of total annual sterilisation operations (male or female), have increased from 71% in the early 1980s to 98% in 2013.6
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http://www.bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g7282