Pregnant woman dies, four critical after being administered 'expired' saline at Bengal hospital

Family members of the deceased woman alleged that Ringer's Lactate administered on the intravenous (IV) fluid had expired. (Screengrab/X)

A woman died and four others were critical after they were allegedly administered expired saline at the Midnapore Medical College and Hospital (MMCH), an official said on Saturday.

After the death of a woman and the deterioration in the health conditions of four other women, a 10-member enquiry committee has been formed by the West Bengal Health Department and will visit the hospital on Saturday, News18 reported.

The development comes after the family members of the deceased woman alleged that Ringer's Lactate administered on the intravenous (IV) fluid had expired and it was responsible for her death. They have lodged a complaint at the Kotwali police station, PTI reported.

The woman died on Friday after delivery of her baby on Wednesday.

"There is a death of a woman in Midnapore Medical College and Hospital. There are a few who are also critical. The family members have alleged that the Ringer's Lactate (RL) administered on the Intravenous (IV) fluid has expired. We have received complaints from the husband of the deceased woman and the family members of the other women patients. An investigation has been initiated," the official of the state health department told PTI.

"Sources in the hospital said that samples of the RL have been collected and a report from the drug control is awaited. Once we get the report, the matter will be clear," he said.

The baby delivered by the deceased woman is still admitted to the MMCH, the official added.

Lashing out at the Mamata Banerjee government, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party asked the CM how much more blood will stain her hands. They said that West Bengal deserves accountability, and not the chief minister’s hollow promises and PR stunts.

Shame on the crumbling healthcare system in West Bengal under the disastrous regime of @MamataOfficial!A pregnant woman DIED after being given EXPIRED saline at a govt hospital in Midnapore, and several others now fight for their lives.This is the price mothers pay under your pic.twitter.com/ZMMovivG2o

BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) January 10, 2025

Meanwhile, the husband of a critically ill woman said, “My wife gave birth to a baby on Friday, and then her urine stopped. Soon after she was moved to an ICU. They have given some wrong saline. Something is wrong in the saline."