Karnataka Tops the Chart in Maternal Mortality: BJP

Bengaluru, Dec 7 (NationPress) The Karnataka BJP has heavily criticized the Congress government following a troubling number of maternal deaths after childbirth, asserting that the state holds the unfortunate title of the highest maternal mortality rates.

During a press conference in Bengaluru on Friday, Opposition leader R. Ashoka stated, "While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah takes pride in Karnataka's GDP ranking, he must also acknowledge that the state leads in maternal deaths."

Ashoka further condemned the Congress administration, claiming that as mothers and infants perish in government hospitals, the Congress party has squandered Rs 20 crore on organizing conventions.

"Holding numerous conventions will not absolve the government of its failures in saving lives," he asserted.

Ashoka labeled the state’s health department as a "sick" institution.

"There have been fatalities in Ballari Hospital due to issues with intravenous fluids. Despite my previous warnings, these incidents persist. In the past ten months, 111 newborns and 28 mothers have died in government facilities. Instead of providing Rs 2,000 to women under the Griha Laxmi initiative, the government should focus on delivering justice for the deceased mothers," he emphasized.

Ashoka remarked, "During the Covid-19 crisis, Congress leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed their sorrow for the people. However, when mothers are suffering, their focus has shifted to hosting Jan Kalyana conventions. Their words are now merely political posturing. Despite the identification of 28 substandard medications, the government continues to procure from the same supplier. This carelessness will incur the people's wrath."

The BJP leader claimed that even after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah convened a meeting, maternal deaths persist, indicating a lack of oversight in state governance.

"The Chief Minister must take accountability for these tragedies and resign," he insisted.

Ashoka criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for failing to express condolences to the grieving families, targeting the Congress-led state administration.

State BJP President and MLA, B.Y. Vijayendra, also criticized the Congress government, questioning its lack of compassion in response to the tragic deaths of mothers and an infant in Ballari.

Vijayendra accused the government of sourcing intravenous glucose from a blacklisted company, which contributed to the deaths of seven mothers and one infant at the Ballari Government Medical College Hospital.

He chastised Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao and Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil for neglecting to visit the site of the tragedy.

In a sarcastic comment regarding State Minister for Waqf and Housing Zameer Ahmad Khan, who oversees Ballari, Vijayendra said, "He is preoccupied with Waqf issues and has no relation to this tragic incident."

He concluded by stating that the public is demanding accountability from the government regarding this inhumane situation.

"The state government must bear the consequences for procuring supplies from a blacklisted entity in relation to this catastrophe," he stressed.