Three women remain critical after being given expired intravenous fluids in West Bengal

Three women remain critical after being given expired intravenous fluids in West Bengal

The health condition of three women who fell ill at Midnapore Medical College and Hospital allegedly due to the administration of expired intravenous fluids remains critical, and officials of the West Bengal Health Department decided to shift the patients to a Kolkata facility on Sunday (January 12, 2025).

The State administration ordered the creation of a ‘green corridor’ and all the toll plazas so that the woman can be brought to Kolkata without any inconvenience.

One woman died after delivering a baby at the State-run health facility on Thursday (January 9, 2025) prompting allegations of medical negligence. State Health Secretary N.S Nigam said that a report on allegations of expired intravenous fluids being administered to the women will come up before the department on Monday. A 13-member team of experts visited the hospital on Saturday (January 11, 2025) to look into allegations of expired saline being administered to pregnant women and other patients.

Mausumi Nandy, the principal of Midnapore Medical College and Hospital said that attempts are being made to save the patients and the matter is under investigation. Dr. Nandy held a meeting with senior officials of the State Health Department during the day.

A political storm has also erupted over the incident with Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari alleging that even after the West Bengal Health Department banned the use of Ringer’s Lactated saline and 14 other essential medical items procured from Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical Ltd. following the directive of the Drugs Controller General of India, these items were used. The BJP leader further pointed out that the information was either not updated in the Store Management Information System of the WB Health Department or the authorities didn’t act sincerely, resulting in the loss of life of the one-day-old mother at the Medinipur Medical College.

The State Congress leadership on Sunday (January 12, 2025) held the West Bengal government responsible for the incident and demanded an explanation from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who holds the portfolio of the State Heath Department. State Congress president Subhankar Sarkar has called a march to Swasthya Bhawan, the headquarters of State Health Department on Monday (January 13, 2025).

“This incident highlights the height of corruption, negligence and lack of infrastructure, with the victim not being able to even see her baby after giving birth. Four other women are still suffering. What is the Health Minister and the Health Department doing?” Mr. Sarkar said.