State Govt Orders CID Probe into 'Expired' IV Fluid Issue

PTI,  KOLKATA, JAN 13, 2025 :  The West Bengal government on Monday ordered a CID probe into the death of a woman and the critical illness of three others following childbirth in a state-run hospital, allegedly due to the administration of 'expired' intravenous fluid, Chief Secretary Manoj Pant said. A 13-member committee, formed by the state health department, will investigate the matter parallelly. Pant added that strict action would be taken against those found responsible for the incident.

The decisions were made at a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who also holds the health portfolio, with senior officials from the health department. "We have asked the CID to investigate the matter. They will look into all aspects and determine whether there were procedural lapses and whether SOPs (standard operating procedures) were properly followed," Pant said.

A 13-member administrative committee, technically qualified to examine the medical side of the issue, will parallelly probe the matter, Pant noted. "The CM held a review meeting with officials of the state health department and gave clear directions that such negligence in administrative and procedural lapses will not be tolerated. Strict action will be taken against those found guilty of any procedural lapses or negligence in treatment," he added.

Referring to the initial report on the incident submitted by the committee, Pant admitted that clear violations were found. A woman died and four others were critically ill after delivering babies at the Medinipur Medical College and Hospital, allegedly due to the administration of expired intravenous fluid. This prompted the health department to constitute a 13-member committee to investigate the matter.