What Happened?
The news of a maternal death and the critical condition of three pregnant women admitted to Midnapore Medical College and Hospital has shocked the nation. The women were admitted on January 9th to the gynecology and obstetrics ward of MMCH for delivery, reportedly without any significant comorbidities. However, their conditions suddenly deteriorated, necessitating intensive care. Tragically, two days later, one of the mothers, Mamoni Ruidas, succumbed to her condition. The other women remain admitted to the critical care units of IPGMER and SSKM Hospital.
The Government’s Ploy
As expected, the West Bengal government has attempted to absolve itself of responsibility by blaming the on-duty doctors for the calamity. However, the situation did not unfold as smoothly as the state’s health ministry anticipated. Medical staff pointed to substandard Ringer’s Lactate saline as the likely cause of the tragedy. Upon later inspection of the saline bottles, doctors discovered whitish deposits, suggesting the solutions had exceeded their expiry date. Despite this, the saline had been supplied and administered, reportedly by Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., a company previously blacklisted by the Karnataka government.
Judiciary Steps In
The Calcutta High Court on Thursday ordered the West Bengal government to compensate the affected families. A division bench comprising Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hirnamay Bhattacharya has demanded a report detailing what actions have been taken against the saline supplier and why it took so long to halt its usage after the incident.
Meanwhile, the West Bengal State CID has initiated an investigation into the matter, recording statements from the on-duty doctors and nurses. In response, Health Minister Mamata Banerjee has suspended several medical staff members, including RMO Soumen Das, Dr. Dilip Pal, Assistant Professor Hinadri Nayek, HOD Md Alauddin, MSVP Jayanta Raut, anesthetist Dr. Pallabi Banerjee, first-year gynecology PGT Dr. Moumita Mondal, Dr. Puja Saha, intern doctor Sushanta Mondal, third-year gynecology PGT Jagriti Ghosh, Bhagyashree Kundu, and first-year anesthesia PGT Dr. Manish Kumar.
Time to Question
The government’s explanations for the incident lack logic and transparency, raising serious questions about a potential scam within the health ministry. If surgical complications were the issue, how could four patients exhibit the same symptoms of acute kidney failure simultaneously? Furthermore, if a shortage of senior doctors contributed to the crisis, what measures has the government taken to address this issue?
Can the government so easily scapegoat innocent individuals and evade accountability? Does the value of common citizens’ lives—and the safety of practicing doctors—mean so little to those in power?
The questions linger in the air, unanswered.
