Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences Under Investigation After 169 Infant Deaths Reported in 10 Months
Karnataka: The Karnataka Government has ordered an investigation into the deaths of infants at the Belagavi district teaching hospital, which is affiliated with the Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS).
In the last 10 months, the hospital has recorded the death of 169 infants. The infants were either stillborn or just died after their birth. Approximately 41 infants died last month and around 125 of these infants were born at the BIMS hospital, while the remaining died after being transferred from other facilities.
Doctors have reported to the district administration about the infant's death. They mentioned that 28 babies died of various infections, 36 due to problems related to breathing, 6 due to heart and other ailments, 6 due to ingestion of faecal matter, 11 for miscellaneous reasons, and 79 were premature.
Ashok Shetty, hospital director has noted that some of the deaths were beyond the control of the doctors. He further denied reports that the oxygen supply in the hospital was disrupted. The hospital has its own oxygen production unit that was put up during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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As per the recent media report by The Hindu, Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar has written to the Department of Medical Education seeking a report. “I will personally inquire with the senior officers and initiate measures to correct the mistakes,” she said. She said that the government of Karnataka would provide infrastructural support to the hospital to prevent such incidents in the future.
In response to the tragic deaths of infants at the hospital, District in-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi announced that he would request an explanation from the doctors during the zilla panchayat meeting in Belagavi on November 11th. He also mentions that if any wilful negligence were found the State Government would order an inquiry and initiate action against these doctors and officers. In addition, he noted that the government will review the functioning of the hospital and address any vacancies for doctors and specialists.
