Bengal: Woman dies, 5 others critical after 'expired' saline administered at patients at Midnapore govt hospital

The incident occurred at Midnapore Medical College and Hospital.

Mamoni Rui Das, 21, died on Friday, two days after she delivered her baby.

After her condition deteriorated on Thursday, she was rushed to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where she succumbed a day later.

The other women are also in the ICU for treatment.

After the relatives of the particular patients filed a complaint with police, the West Bengal Health Department formed a 10-member enquiry committee which will visit Medinipur on Saturday.

Though it is claimed that expired salines were used, some doctors claim the women suffered probably due to the administration of inappropriate injections.

The victim's family claimed Das vomited after she was administered saline.

According to a report by The Indian Express, a primary report that reached the state health office indicated the saline may have caused an allergic reaction that led to the deterioration of Das' condition.

The tragic incident rekindled the memory of four maternal deaths in Karnataka last year over the use of "defective" Ringer's Lactated (RL) saline related to a particular firm.

Soon after the Karnataka tragedy, the West Bengal health department had reportedly banned the use of the saline from the particular firm which was linked to what had happened in the southern state.

The alleged repetition of the incident prompted West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari to target the state government.

In an X post, Adhikari wrote, "This tragic incident rekindles the memories of the similar tragedy in Karnataka last year, where four maternal deaths were linked to the use of the same “defective” Ringer’s Lactated (RL) saline supplied by this particular firm; "Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical Ltd"."

"... Sources tell me that the Directors of the Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical Ltd. have hundreds of bogus companies registered in their names. Despite such serious sanctions on their firm they have been allowed to supply substandard medicines to the State run Healthcare facilities in West Bengal.

"A proper investigation should be launched by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) and Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (@CDSCO_INDIA_INF) to find out if this firm flourished by flouting any norms and if its nexus with the ruling party of WB has helped them gain access to the State run facilities. 

An X post by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reads, "Shame on the crumbling healthcare system in West Bengal under the disastrous regime of @MamataOfficial! A pregnant woman DIED after being given EXPIRED saline at a govt hospital in Midnapore, and several others now fight for their lives. This is the price mothers pay under your so-called “development”?

"Your negligence has turned hospitals into death traps! West Bengal deserves accountability, not your hollow promises and PR stunts. How much more blood will stain your hands, @MamataOfficial?"