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Medinipur, January 16: The autopsy report of Mamoni Ruidas, who died at the state-run Midnapore Medical College and Hospital on January 10 after allegedly being administered expired saline, has confirmed multi-organ failure due to septicemia as the cause of death. This revelation has added fuel to the ongoing controversy surrounding the expired saline scandal in West Bengal’s healthcare system.
Despite the report’s findings, the family of the deceased continues to hold the expired Ringer’s Lactate responsible for her death, demanding compensation from the government and strict action against the medical staff involved. “We want exemplary punishments for those responsible,” a family member said, adding that they have not received the autopsy report due to an ongoing Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe.
The controversy has also deepened following the deterioration of the health of Mamoni’s newborn, who had to be readmitted to the same hospital shortly after being discharged. The family claims they have received no assistance from the administration.
Probes and Parallel Investigations
The incident has sparked two parallel investigations: one by a state health department-appointed committee and another by the CID. The autopsy report indicates the presence of toxic body fluids in Mamoni’s system, raising questions about whether oxytocin was administered to manage the toxicity.
Experts and family members are questioning how a routine surgical procedure could lead to fatal septicemia and multi-organ failure. There are also concerns about whether delays in surgery or other procedural lapses contributed to the tragic outcome.
A Widening Scandal
Last week, five women, including Mamoni Ruidas, reportedly fell ill after being administered expired Ringer’s Lactate at the hospital. While Mamoni succumbed to her condition, the four other women remain under treatment, with some transferred to Kolkata’s SSKM Medical College and Hospital due to the critical nature of their conditions.
In response to the incident, the state health department ordered the immediate suspension of all stocks of Compound Sodium Lactate Injection supplied by Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. This directive was later extended to all medicines provided by the same company across healthcare facilities in the state.
The incident has reignited concerns about quality control lapses and negligence in West Bengal’s public healthcare system. Similar cases in the past have raised alarms over the safety and efficacy of medical supplies in state-run hospitals.
Growing Demands for Accountability
As the probes continue, public outrage grows over what many see as systemic negligence in the healthcare system. The family of Mamoni Ruidas is urging the government to take swift and stringent action against those responsible for the tragedy. Activists and opposition parties have also demanded transparency in the investigations and enhanced monitoring of medical supplies in state-run hospitals.
For now, the tragedy of Mamoni Ruidas serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need to address glaring gaps in healthcare delivery and accountability mechanisms in West Bengal.
