Expired Saline Linked to Pregnant Woman’s Death at Medinipur Hospital; Health Department Orders Inquiry

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, January 11, 2025, Kolkata:West Bengal has been rocked by a scandal involving expired saline that allegedly led to the death of a pregnant woman at Medinipur Medical College and Hospital. The deceased, Mamoni Rui Das, 21, gave birth to a baby on Wednesday but her condition rapidly worsened on Thursday after being administered the saline. She was moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) but tragically succumbed to her condition on Friday. Seven other pregnant women who were also given the same saline are now critically ill and are receiving treatment in the ICU.

The saline in question, Ringer Lactate, was later found to be expired, sparking outrage. Despite the incident, the saline continued to be used in hospitals for several hours. The West Bengal Health Department has since intervened, ordering an immediate inquiry into the matter and calling for the replacement of the existing saline stock with a fresh batch. The department has also demanded a detailed report from the principal of Medinipur Medical College regarding the alleged negligence and an explanation for the stocking of expired saline in the hospital.

In response to the crisis, the health department moved quickly to ban not just Ringer Lactate, but a range of other products from the same company, West Bengal Pharmaceuticals. The company’s products that have been banned include:

Ringer Lactate

Ringer Solution IP Injection

Dextrorose Injection

Mannitol Infusion

Paracetamol Infusion

Ofloxacin

1/2 DNS

Sodium Chloride Irrigation Solution

Pediatric Maintenance Electrolyte Solution

The use of these medications has been halted in hospitals across the state. Efforts are now underway to collect and remove these products from hospital wards.

In the wake of the incident, the hospital authorities have formed a 10-member committee to investigate the cause of the death and the circumstances surrounding the use of expired saline. The health department has also issued a formal ban on saline products manufactured by West Bengal Pharmaceuticals, the company responsible for supplying the contaminated stock.

This latest scandal has drawn attention to the dangers of expired medical products being used in healthcare settings. Last year, similar saline from the same company was linked to the deaths of four individuals in Karnataka. The West Bengal Health Department’s swift response to the crisis underscores the gravity of the situation, as public health safety becomes a key concern for authorities.

Relatives of the affected patients have filed formal complaints with the police, demanding accountability for the negligence that led to the tragic loss of life and critical illnesses. As investigations continue, the health department has promised to take necessary actions to ensure that such incidents are not repeated.