Tamil Nadu’s three government hospitals saw at least 15 pregnant women dying in four months till January 2019 due to the side effects of “lysed” blood transfusion. Senior doctors and officials conducted maternal audits and inspected blood banks in government hospitals in Dharmapuri, Hosur and Krishnagiri, and have found that transfusing the “spoiled” blood is the reason of death in these women.

A preliminary enquiry has exposed that the blood stored was in inappropriate temperature which had turned stale and few of the doctors certified them as safe. Minutes after transfusing spoiled blood, many of the women started facing severe complications, such as fits.

Criminal action and disciplinary proceedings have been ordered by State health secretary Beela Rajesh against Dr M Chandrasekar, of the Government Medical College and Hospital, Dr Narayanaswamy, Krishnagiri District Headquarters Hospital, Dr Sugantha of the Hosur Government Hospital, and several lab technicians and staff nurses.

Also, the director of medical education, Dr A Edwin Joe, and the director of medical services, Dr N Rukmani have been asked by the health secretary in a letter to initiate disciplinary action and file criminal complaints as per Tamil Nadu Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules for Negligence. The department has also been asked to file a complaint with the Tamil Nadu State Medical Council against the medical practitioners, and submit an action-taken report. The respective councils should also submit complaints against lab technicians and nurses.

During blood bank inspections, all possible reasons for death were ruled out by the maternal death audit, before concluding that it was due to lysed blood. Around the same time of these deaths, a Sattur-based woman was given infected blood and was tested positive for HIV. This blood was certified safe by the blood bank manager. The event came to light when the 19-year-old donor, who was unaware of his condition, donated blood and attempted suicide in guilt.

The hospital is responsible for such negligence and is no less than a crime. People are left with no hope to get back a healthier life. The carelessness of hospital staff and technician resulted in the death of 15 women with 15 unborn, innocent lives.

Source: https://thelogicalindian.com/news/tamil-nadu-pregnant-women-die/