Kolkata, Jan 11 (NationPress) The West Bengal Health Department promptly called for a report from the investigative committee concerning the tragic passing of a pregnant woman at Midnapore Medical College & Hospital in the West Midnapore district on Friday, which was allegedly caused by the administration of expired Ringer's Lactate (RL) saline.
According to sources within the state health department, the 13-member investigative committee has been instructed to present their findings to the department headquarters by Sunday evening or at the latest, Monday morning.
Following this, the report will be submitted to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who also oversees the health department, for her review and to determine the subsequent steps to be taken.
On Friday evening, a pregnant woman named Mamoni Ruidas (25) tragically lost her life, while four other pregnant women who were reportedly given expired Ringer’s Lactate (RL) saline are currently receiving critical care—two in the critical care unit (CCU) and two in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the same hospital.
In light of this incident, the state government has imposed an immediate ban on the use of ten medications, including Ringer’s Lactate (RL) saline, produced by Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical Limited, across all state-run hospitals.
“Samples of these medications will be sent to laboratories for thorough examination. Their use will remain prohibited until the report is available,” stated a health department official, adding that all hospitals have been duly informed of the necessary directives.
However, relatives of the deceased have raised concerns regarding the delayed response from the state government after the incident occurred.
They have also questioned how Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical Limited, previously blacklisted by both the West Bengal and Karnataka governments, continued to supply medications to state-run hospitals.
Opposition leader in the West Bengal assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, has called for a comprehensive investigation by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
He has also urged an inquiry into whether the company circumvented regulations to secure access to state facilities, potentially due to alleged connections with the ruling party in West Bengal.
This incident has reignited worries regarding similar issues within the state's healthcare system.
Notably, a recent case of financial misconduct at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata implicated former principal Sandip Ghosh in promoting the use of expired and ineffective medications on patients for personal gain.
