Khan, a farmer from Keshpur block in Paschim Medinipur, said that the birth of their first child should have been the happiest moment of their lives. “This was supposed to be the happiest day of my life. There was no problem when she was brought to the hospital for delivery, after the C-section delivery we were told that a second OT is required and after the second OT she became very serious,” he said while speaking with The Indian Express.
Alleging that they were not being informed what had exactly happened, Khan said, “Nothing is being told to us exactly what happened, they are just saying saline and injection. There is some issue but they are not providing us details.”
A woman died at MMCH on Friday after the delivery of her baby on Wednesday, an official said on Saturday. The family members of the deceased woman, identified as Mamoni Das, alleged that Ringer’s Lactate administered on the intravenous (IV) fluid had expired, which led to her death. They have lodged a complaint at the Kotwali police station.
While the West Bengal Health Department has ordered an investigation into the matter, a 13-member medical team visited the Midnapore Medical College on Saturday to enquire regarding the allegations of expired saline being administered to patients at the hospital.
Meanwhile, the families of three women admitted at MMCH seek answers from doctors over the health condition of the new mothers’ who are in critical condition after they delivered babies and were allegedly given saline of questionable quality.
Nasrim Khatun’s father Shiekh Shamsher Ali while speaking with The Indian Express said, “Doctors are saying we are investigating.”
“As a father I am not in any condition to talk or understand anything, we just want to know who is behind all this. Basically, the saline which should not have been given, why was it given? We have asked them to refer my daughter to Kolkata, but they (the hospital) are saying, not in this condition. After hearing the news her mother (Nasrim’s mother) is in no condition to talk, she is at home, asking when will her child come back home,” said a teary-eyed Ali.
Nasrim’s uncle Zai Khan stated,“Doctors said they are trying their best. They said the infection is from saline or injection, but not saying anything clearly. My niece was taken to the OT twice. Why, we don’t know.”
Nasrim’s condition has slightly improved, according to Khan. “She’s regained some consciousness, but remains on a ventilator. A team of medical experts from Kolkata visited and provided guidance to the local doctors, which has helped reduce the bleeding that was previously uncontrollable. The team also brought blood from Kolkata to aid in her treatment,” he said.
Three years ago, Kartik Singh’s wife, had delivered their first child in the hospital and now the situation has completely changed for him after the delivery of his second child. Singh alongwith his father and mother-in-law have been waiting in front of the CCU to speak with doctors about his wife Mampi, who is critical.
“Doctors are saying that my wife is a bit serious, no urination, that is all. When we asked why, they said it is because of some infection in the saline,” Singh said, adding, “She is not very well. We want her to get well soon, the child is there at home waiting for her mother. Senior specialist doctors should come and talk to us. They should understand our pain. We treat our doctors as gods.”
Mampi’s father-in-law Sarveshsar Singh, said, “New born has been discharged and my daughter-in-law is unwell and in the CCU. How will we bringing up the child who is just 4-days old.”
Staring the CCU door, Mampi’s mother Putul Singh said, “They are not allowing us to go inside. I just want to take my daughter back home. Yesterday blood plasma was brought from Kolkata. She has not been able to urinate. How will we bring up this child?.”
“This hospital is the lifeline, but after this incident how can we feel safe, a perfectly healthy person is now in a serious condition,” said her aunt Kajal Singh.
Meanwhile, Sabina Biwi, while sharing her ordeal with The Indian Express said, “My sister-in-law was given saline after the child was born and then suddenly she became serious. Immediately the mother was shifted to the CCU.
Around 7 pm on January 8 the child was delivered at 9:30 pm and on January 9, the child was discharged. I took the child home but who will take care of the child, who is responsible for this. Everyone will be scared after this incident.”
“My sister-in-law is a bit better today. I met her, and she enquired about her child. But still there is only one problem: no urination after delivery. Doctors are saying there is some problem due to the saline,” she added.