Bengal hospital tragedy: Scuffle erupts as SFI protests death of pregnant woman from ‘expired Saline’

West Bengal News: A scuffle broke out between police and the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) outside Midnapore Medical College and Hospital over the death of one pregnant woman and a few critically ill after “expired saline” was used on them.

A pregnant woman died and four others were critical after the delivery of babies at a state-run hospital in West Bengal’s Paschim Medinipur district, with family members of the deceased alleging that her demise was due to the administration of expired Ringer’s Lactate on the intravenous (IV) fluid.

The death of the pregnant woman triggered a protest by Left parties, including SFI, and the Congress outside the Midnapore Medical College and Hospital on Saturday.

The family members of the pregnant woman lodged a complaint with the Kotwali Police Station, alleging that the Midnapore hospital authorities were responsible for the woman’s death, PTI reported.

The pregnant woman died on Friday, 10 January, at the West Bengal government-run facility after delivering her baby on Wednesday, officials informed.

After the death of the pregnant woman and deterioration of the health condition of four others, the CM Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government has formed a 13-member panel to investigate the matter, a senior official said.

The baby delivered by the deceased woman is still admitted to the Midnapore Medical College and Hospital.

What is Ringer’s Lactate?

Lactated Ringer’s injection is used to replace water and electrolyte loss in patients with low blood volume or low blood pressure.

The samples of the Ringer’s Lactate, that was administered to patients in Midnapore Medical College and Hospital have been collected and a report from the drug control is awaited, PTI reported.

West Bengal Govt Probes Death

The investigating team of the health department reached the hospital on Saturday morning and held meetings with the authorities concerned, another official said.

During the protest, supporters of the Left parties, including Students Federation of India (SFI), and Congress reportedly attempted to enter the Midnapore Medical College and Hospital premises to meet the 13-member probe team but were stopped by the West Bengal police.

The protesters then held posters aloft and raised slogans against the state government, alleging that the woman died due to the negligence of the hospital authorities.

The protesters also held Chief Minister and trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee, who also holds the health portfolio, responsible for the woman’s death.