Expired saline scandal: Newborn of affected patient dies in hospital

Kolkata: A newborn baby of one of the five women who fell ill at the state-run Midnapore Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) last week, allegedly after being administered expired Ringer’s Lactate (RL) saline, passed away on Thursday. 

The newborn baby, belonging to Rekha Shaw, one of the four surviving women affected, died at a state-run hospital in Kolkata. After birth, the baby was placed in isolation and on ventilation due to critical health concerns.  

“We were shown the baby just once after birth, and since then, she was kept in isolation. Now we are told the baby has expired,” said Rekha’s mother-in-law, Pushpa Shaw, expressing grief over the loss.  

The incident occurred after five women were reportedly administered expired Ringer’s Lactate at the hospital. The saline was allegedly supplied by Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals Limited, a company previously banned by the Karnataka government and subsequently by West Bengal.

Mamoni Ruidas, one of the five women who fell sick after allegedly receiving expired saline passed away last week at MMCH. Three of the other women were later transferred to SSKM Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata due to worsening health conditions.  

Investigation demands escalate

Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, has called for Central agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to be involved in the ongoing investigation. Currently, the probe is being conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the West Bengal Police and a team from the state health department.  

Following the incident, the state health department ordered immediate cessation of the use of the RL saline supplied by Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals across all medical institutions in the state and removal of all stock from healthcare facilities under its jurisdiction.  

The deaths and deteriorating conditions of patients have raised serious concerns about the hospital's safety standards and its reliance on suppliers with questionable records.The state government has pledged to ensure strict action against any lapses. 

IANS