Four women, who underwent cesarean deliveries at MMCH on Wednesday, fell ill, with one succumbing on Friday. The condition of three women is said to be critical and they were moved to the SSKM Hospital in Kolkata on Sunday. The family members of the deceased woman have alleged that Ringer’s Lactate administered on her had expired, leading to her death.
The latest order, issued by the state health department stated, “All Heads of Departments are kindly requested to cease the administration of the above-mentioned fluids/infusion in their designated areas without delay. Any requests for the same should be directed to the Office of the Medical Superintendent and Vice Principal with effect from today, the 11th of January 2025…”
The nine intravenous fluids are Ringer’s Lactate – 500 ml, Ringer’s Solution – 500 ml, Dextrose 10%- 500 ml, Mannitol Infusion – 100 ml, Paracetamol Infusion – 100 ml, Ofloxacin 100 ml, Levofloxacin – 100 ml, 1/2 DNS – 500 ml 9, and Normal Saline – 3 L.
State Chief Secretary Manoj Pant also sought a detailed report from Principal Secretary, Health, by Sunday night.
Meanwhile, the three critically ill women — Nasrim Khatun, Mampi Singh, and Minara Bibi – were transferred to SSKM Hospital through a green corridor. The decision to move them to a Kolkata hospital was taken at a high-level meeting of the health department after an expert team assessed their condition.
According to reports, while the condition of the three women is stable, their haemoglobin count has decreased and are undergoing dialysis.
“The treatment is on. The investigation is also on. The saline came to the hospital store from Tamluk Drs,” Dr Mausumi Nandy, principal, Midnapore Medical College and Hospital, told mediapersons.
A 13-member expert team, which reached the Midnapore Medical College and Hospital on Saturday to probe allegations of expired saline being administered to patients, on Sunday took statements from patients, senior and junior doctors, as well as the nursing staff at the hospital.
According to sources, the expert team is waiting for the post-mortem report of Mamoni Das, who died on Friday, and the biopsy reports of the new mothers admitted in the ICU, along with the reports of the Ringer’s Saline samples.
The team has not ruled out human error or adverse chemical reactions from drugs for the death, said sources.