Facing flak over C-section deaths in Hyderabad, Telangana orders probe by IAS officer

The Telangana government on Tuesday ordered a probe by an IAS officer into the death of five women at government-run Niloufer Hospital in Hyderabad.

Hyderabad District Collector and Magistrate Rahul Bojja will conduct the inquiry into the death of the women after delivering babies during last 10 days. He has been asked to submit the report within a week.

Health Minister C Lakshma Reddy announced the probe even as the hospital authorities shut down the operation theatres citing "periodic sanitation work".

The minister said the probe by the IAS officer will be in addition to the inquiry being conducted by a three-member committee. The Director of Medical Education on Monday formed the committee.

Taking a serious view of the death, the minister reviewed the situation with top officials. He directed them to take all steps to ensure that such incidents do not recur in future and initiate action against those found guilty.

The women died after caesarean surgeries, leading to a furore. Officials said one of them died due to heavy bleeding post surgery.

The authorities swung into action after relatives of one woman staged a protest at the hospital on Monday.

All C-section operations have been halted at the hospital and only natural deliveries are being taken up.

Read - One hospital, five new mothers - all dead: The unexplained C-section deaths in Hyderabad