Chhattisgarh Sterilisation Deaths: Ensure Thorough Probe, PM Modi tells State CM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked Chhattisgarh Chief Minister (CM) Raman Singh to look into the death of eight women during a sterlisation surgery in the state, and has ordered for a thorough probe into the incident.

Modi personally spoke to Singh and expressed his concern over the tragic turn of events, reported NDTV.

"The PM has asked @drramansingh to ensure a thorough investigation & action on the entire issue," a tweet from the Prime Minister's Office read.

Singh has instructed an inquiry in addition to suspension of four health officials. The Chhattisgarh CM also ordered an FIR to be filed against Dr. RK Gupta, under whose supervision the surgeries were performed.

Free camps are held to meet certain targets and this could be a reason for the tragedy.

"April to March there are annual targets, this was done according to that," said RK Bhamge, one of the suspended medical officers.

"The daily target of a team is 40 sterilisations, but the number of operations held on Saturday was double that figure," added Block Medical Officer Pramod Tiwari, who was also suspended after the incident.

While the health officials have denied allegations of any kind of negligence, Amar Singh, Deputy Director, Health, explained that the death might have been caused by Hypovolemic shock -- rapid fluid loss after surgery that results in multi-organ failure -- or a septic infection.

Meanwhile, the Congress and CPI (M) have demanded the resignation of state Health Minister Amar Agarwal, in whose constituency the incident took place.

In what might come as some consolation for the kin of the deceased, the compensation amount has been increased from ₹ 2 lakh to ₹4 lakh by the CM.

In addition Raman Singh has sought Central help for the patients. A team of four doctors from Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) will leave for Bilaspur on Wednesday.

Free family camps are held between October and February to control India's massive population growth, A sum of ₹1,400 is given by the state to each woman who undergoes the surgery.