11 women die in sterilisation camp; 4 docs suspended

Raipur: Eleven women died and 49 others were hospitalised after botched sterilisation procedure at a state-run camp in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur district, prompting the government to suspend four doctors and transfer the Director of Health Services.

60 women were admitted to different hospitals after they developed post-operative complications at a sterilisation camp organised by the government at a private hospital in Pendari village on the outskirts of Bilaspur town on Saturday, district Collector Siddharth Komal Pardeshi said.

Eleven of them, all below 32 years of age, died from complications, Pardeshi told PTI.

Expressing concern over the sterilisation tragedy, PM Narendra Modi asked Chief Minister Raman Singh to ensure a thorough investigation and action against those responsible. "The PM spoke to Chhattisgarh CM Dr Raman Singh on the unfortunate tragedy in Bilaspur. The PM expressed concern over the tragedy. Meanwhile, a team of doctors from AIIMS is leaving for Bilaspur to attend to the victims. According to Health Ministry officials, the government of Chattisgarh has made a request to send a team of AIIMS doctors. The state government is also sending a plane to ferry the doctors from here so that no time is lost.

Under attack from opposition Congress which demanded his resignation, the Chief Minister announced a high-level probe into the incident.