Launching its probe into the death of a woman following childbirth at the Midnapore Medical College and Hospital (MMCH), the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of West Bengal Police has recorded statements of the Resident Medical Officer (RMO), two junior doctors, and four nurses who were on duty at the gynaecology department on the night of January 9 when the incident took place, sources said.
One woman died and three others fell critically ill after childbirth at MMCH last week. The family alleged that expired intravenous (IV) fluid was administered to the women, leading to the worsening of their health condition.
The probe team, led by a DSP rank officer, also recorded the statement of the hospital superintendent, Jayanta Routh, and collected several documents such as duty rosters and logbooks, according to the sources.
The CID team will also be recording the statements of MMCH principal and the medical superintendent cum vice-principal (MSVP), they added.
The probe team spoke to the family members of the deceased as well as those who fell critically ill after childbirth, the sources said.
On Monday, the state government ordered the CID inquiry, after a 13-member expert panel found “negligence” on the part of the hospital staff on duty.
The CID is expected to submit its initial findings to the state government within three days.
This comes after state Chief Secretary Manoj Pant on Monday said there was “serious negligence” on the part of the staff on duty at the Midnapore Medical College and Hospital.
A day ago, the state Health Department instructed all chief medical officers (CMOs) and principals of medical colleges to ensure that no surgical or anaesthetic procedure be conducted by post-graduate students alone.
The hospitals have also been directed to stop the use of Ringer’s Lactate (RL) saline. In the order, the officials have been ordered to “ensure total stoppage of the existing stock of Compound Sodium Lactate Injection (RL) supplied by Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical Private Limited in his/her jurisdiction. The existing stock, if any, should be withdrawn from wards/hospitals, if not already withdrawn, and must be kept in a sealed place.”