Leader of Opposition in State Assembly Suvendu Adhikari, along with other BJP leaders, on Friday took out a protest rally from College Street in Kolkata, demanding the resignation and arrest of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and health secretary NS Nigam over alleged administration of ‘expired’ intravenous (IV) fluid at Midnapore Medical College and Hospital (MMCH), in Paschim Medinipur, which led to the death of a mother post-childbirth and left four post-partum mothers critically ill.
They also protested against the suspension of 12 doctors at MMCH, demanding the unconditional withdrawal of their suspension. “Nothing short of the CM’s resignation and arrest can address the situation. Lives of hundreds of patients, including women, are at risk due to this tragedy…,” the BJP leader said.
Earlier this month, the CM had suspended 12 junior doctors including the medical superintendent and seven PGTs at MMCH for “negligence” after a woman died and four others fell critically ill after childbirth at the state-run medical college.
Speaking at the rally near Md Ali Park, Adhikari said, “I will accompany members of BJP doctors’ wing to meet Governor CV Ananda Bose and apprise him of the situation.”
“We have said three things to the Governor. Firstly, compensation for the victim families and proper treatment of the new mothers. We have come to know that the three new mothers admitted in SSKM are still critical. Secondly, we have asked the Governor to call for the report from the State government like the Calcutta High Court has sought, we want to know the details,” Adhikari said while speaking with mediapersons.
Demanding that the state government provides a list of all the patients in all the hospitals, from block level who have been affected by the Ringer’s Lactate (RL) saline, Adhikari said, “….treatment to those administered should start. The state government should also mention the long term effects of the saline.”
Adhikari further stated that they want a compensation of Rs one crore for the family of the woman who died after childbirth at the state-run medical college. “After the Calcutta HC said to give appropriate compensation, how can the Chief Minister mention a compensation of Rupees 5 lakh,” he said.
Meanwhile, Adhikari also met with Kaushik Singh, the husband of Mampi Singh, one of the new mother’s, who is admitted in SSKM hospital in Kolkata. “When I asked Singh if he was allowed to visit his wife he said he was only allowed the first day,” Adhikari said, adding that, “they want the SSKM hospital to release a regular medical bulletin for the patients health with the signature of super or deputy super.”
Singh also met the Governor along with the BJP leaders.
The LoP further questioned why no FIR had been filed against the managing director and directors of Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical manufacturing the RL saline.
“On December 10, 2024, the government had knowledge about the saline, even after that they banned it after 5 weeks in January 2025. It is a criminal offence, a big scam. Lakhs of people may be affected. The Indore government had banned the RL company then why this state gave them permission to build a plant here in Chopra and an agreement happened that all the saline manufactured by the company will be purchased by the state government. The Indore Police and the MP govt lodged an FIR against one of the directors Mukul Ghosh. But till now no FIR has been lodged by the West Bengal government, the cut money went to the residence of the Chief Minister,” alleged Adhikari.
— With PTI