West Bengal government to probe ‘lapse’ in administration of ‘expired’ saline
West Bengal government to probe ‘lapse’ in administration of ‘expired’ saline
The West Bengal Health Department on Monday (January 13, 2024) admitted to a lapse and said that they will take strict action against anyone found guilty in the administration of expired saline at Medinipur Medical College and Hospital. The government has roped in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to probe the “lapse” which led to one woman’s death and three others remained critical.
Five women were administered Ringer’s Lactate (RL) on the Intravenous (IV) fluid which had allegedly expired. All of them fell critically ill and one of them died after delivering a baby.
Three of the other women were shifted to the S.S.K.M. Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata on Sunday (January 12, 2024) night through a green corridor for better treatment. Families of the critical patients questioned why three days were spent to take this step.
Chief Secretary of West Bengal Manoj Pant said that whether the lapse happened due to a human error, or a technical fault was not clear after the initial report. He added, “Whoever is involved in this and had a chance to act on it and did not, no matter who they are, we will take action against them. We will not tolerate any lapses or negligence in the system which puts people’s lives at risk.”
“A senior doctor is always present during such procedures, but in this case the trainee doctors conducted the process. That is why we feel the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was not followed,” Mr. Pant said. “Primary investigation shows that there were violations of procedures. We have collected samples of the medicines and sent them for examination to help in further investigation,” he added.
Mr. Pant also said that after the detailed report from both CID and the 13-member team of the State Health Department come in they will decide the next steps of action. The health department committee report is expected to come within the next three days.
In the meantime, RL usage, along with nine other fluids have been banned in West Bengal till further investigation is completed. The steps were taken by the Health Department to ensure patient safety.
Families of the five affected women have alleged that they were made to sign a bond by the Medinipur Medical Hospital officials when complications arose during delivery after the RL was administered. Mr. Pant has said that if any such allegations are proved, action will be taken. Saumya Sankar Sarangi, Chief Medical Officer of Health, of Medinipur Hospital said, “As far as I have seen, a bond was signed. But how anyone came to know that particular RL from that batch will cause reactions, we are not able to grasp. This is cause for suspicion.”
The Leader of Opposition of West Bengal State Assembly Suvendu Adhikari said this is an unforgivable and tragic incident. He added, “An FIR should be filed in this case against Health Minister Mamata Banerjee and Health Secretary N.S. Nigam. The Health Department is at fault, the Central Bureau of Investigation should be brought in for the investigation.”
Two Public Interest Litigations were filed at the Calcutta High Court on Monday. The case will be heard on January 16, Thursday. The division bench led by Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam allowed the PIL to be filed at the court.
The two PILs have asked the CBI to investigate the matter. They demanded the formation of a Special Investigation Team to probe into the issue.
