Ballari: Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao visited the families of two women who died recently at the Ballari Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS) and offered his condolences on Saturday (December 7).
The minister visited the homes of Sumaiya Banu (23) from Azad Nagar, Kudligi constituency, who passed away on December 5, and Mahalakshmi (20) from Chandrashekarapura village, who died on November 27. He assured the families of government compensation and additional support, promising to discuss the matter in the upcoming Assembly session.
Protests Over Maternal Deaths
Meanwhile, former Health Minister B. Sriramulu and former MLA G. Somashekhar Reddy led a hunger strike near BIMS, demanding accountability for a series of maternal deaths at the hospital. Protesters voiced concerns over healthcare failures and called for systemic improvements.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao visited the protest site, interacted with the protesters, and assured them that their demands would be discussed with the Chief Minister. Following the assurance, the hunger strike was called off.
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Sriramulu emphasized that while he does not demand the minister’s resignation, the health system must improve. “Many maternal deaths in the state are due to poor-quality medical supplies. An independent judicial probe is necessary, and Rs 25 lakh compensation should be provided to the deceased women’s families,” he added.
Investigation Underway
Minister Gundu Rao clarified that an investigation team was deployed immediately after the deaths. Preliminary findings indicated no medical negligence but raised concerns over the quality of IV fluids. The government has sought detailed reports on 327 maternal deaths across the state and pledged transparency in the investigation.
Samples of IV fluids linked to the deaths were tested previously, and some batches were found substandard. The minister assured strict prosecution of those responsible and promised a high-level inquiry into the Ballari incident.
Protest Called Off
Acknowledging the protest’s significance, Gundu Rao reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing the issue. He assured discussions in the Assembly and timely compensation. Following his request, Sriramulu withdrew the hunger strike.
Prominent leaders, including MLA Ganesh, former MLA Somashekhar Reddy, DCC president Allam Prashanth, and BJP district president Anil Naidu, were present during the protest and discussions.
