Death Due to Expired Saline: Mamata Government Orders Probe

The West Bengal Health Department has urgently requested a report from the 13-member probe committee investigating the death of a pregnant woman at Midnapore Medical College & Hospital. The woman, Mamoni Ruidas (25), died on Friday evening, allegedly due to the administration of expired Ringer’s Lactate (RL) saline.

Mamata Government Asks For Probe

The state health department has instructed the committee to submit its findings by Sunday evening, or at the latest, by Monday morning. After receiving the report, it will be presented to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who also heads the health department, for further action.

In addition to the tragic death of Ruidas, four other pregnant women who were also administered expired RL saline are in critical condition. Two are currently being treated in the Critical Care Unit (CCU), while the remaining two are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the same hospital.

State Government Asks Immediate Ban On Certain Medicines

Following the mishap, the state government has taken swift action by banning the use of ten medicines, including Ringer’s Lactate (RL) saline, manufactured by Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical Limited. This ban applies to all state-run hospitals, effective immediately.

“We will send specimens of these medicines to laboratories for thorough examination. Their use will remain prohibited until the results come in,” said a senior health department official. Hospitals across the state have already received instructions regarding the ban.

However, the deceased woman’s family has criticized the government’s delayed response to the incident, pointing out that the action came after a tragedy had already occurred. They have raised concerns about how Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical Limited, a company previously blacklisted by both the West Bengal and Karnataka governments, was still allowed to supply medicines to state-run hospitals.

Political Leaders Demand Further Investigation

Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, has called for a comprehensive investigation by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). He also questioned whether the pharmaceutical company had bypassed regulations and gained access to state facilities due to alleged ties with the ruling party in West Bengal.

This incident brought attention to ongoing concerns about the state’s healthcare system. Recently, allegations of financial irregularities at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata emerged, with former principal Sandip Ghosh accused of promoting the use of expired and ineffective drugs for personal financial gain.

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