Woman Dies in Kolkata After Being Administered Expired Saline at Midnapore Hospital; Investigation Launched

PTI, KOLKATA, MAY 12, 2025 ; Four months after a woman was allegedly administered expired saline at a hospital in Paschim Medinipur district, rendering her critically ill, she died in a medical establishment in Kolkata on Monday, a health department official said.

The patient, Nasrin Khatoon, died at the state-run SSKM Hospital in Kolkata, where she had been receiving treatment since January. Khatoon was allegedly administered the “expired” intravenous fluid at the Midnapore Medical College and Hospital in January when she was in the advanced stages of pregnancy.

Another pregnant woman, Mamoni Rui Das, died allegedly following the administration of "expired" Ringer’s Lactate saline at the same hospital in January. Ringer’s Lactate is an intravenous fluid that doctors use to treat dehydration and restore fluid balance in the body.

"Following treatment in all these months, Khatoon’s condition was improving. She was shifted from the ICU to a general ward some time back. But her condition started deteriorating from May 9, and she died this morning," the official said. Khatoon had been undergoing dialysis regularly since she was admitted to the SSKM Hospital, the official added.

Rui Das died on January 10, while the condition of four others—Mampi Singh, Nasrin Khatoon, Minara Bibi, and Rekha Sau—who were admitted to the same hospital, deteriorated, and they were later brought to SSKM Hospital.

The development prompted the health department to constitute a 13-member committee to investigate the matter. Mampi Singh and Minara Bibi were discharged later, while Nasrin's treatment continued at the Kolkata facility, the official said.

West Bengal CID has been investigating the matter as the state government suspended 12 doctors from Midnapore Medical College and Hospital for negligence in connection with the case. The state government also provided Rui Das' family with compensation of Rs 5 lakh along with a government job.