Background of the Incident
The incident occurred at the Midnapore Medical College and Hospital in West Bengal, where a 21-year-old pregnant woman, Mamoni Rui Das, died after being administered Ringer's Lactate (RL) intravenous solution. Reports indicated that the saline solution was expired and potentially contaminated, leading to severe health complications for the patient. Four other pregnant women who received the same solution were reported to be in critical condition.
Legal Proceedings and Court's Observations
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Calcutta High Court, seeking a probe into the incident and action against the responsible parties. The petitioners highlighted that the supplier of the saline solution, Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., had been flagged by the Karnataka government in March 2024 for supplying contaminated saline and was banned for three years. Despite this, the company continued to supply the solution to West Bengal hospitals, leading to the tragic incident.
The division bench, comprising Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya, expressed concern over the state's failure to act on prior warnings regarding the supplier's credibility. The court took exception to the fact that even after an order had been issued in 2024 by the Health department in Siliguri, blacklisting the said drugs, the same were not withdrawn and continued to be used.
State's Response and Investigation
In response to the court's observations, the Advocate General informed that the state government had initiated an investigation into the incident. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was tasked with probing the matter, adhering to the guidelines set in the Lalita Kumari case concerning medical negligence. Additionally, the state health department formed a 13-member committee to investigate the incident.
Court's Directives
The court directed the state to provide compensation to the family of the deceased and called for a comprehensive report from the health department regarding the timeline of events and the names of those who were administered the solution. The court emphasized the need for accountability and transparency in the investigation and remedial measures.
Implications and Public Outrage
The incident has sparked widespread public outrage, leading to protests and demands for accountability. Opposition parties have called for the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from her role as the state's health minister, accusing her of failing to ensure the safety of medical supplies in state-run hospitals. The incident has also raised concerns about the quality control and monitoring of medical supplies in government hospitals.
Conclusion
The Calcutta High Court's intervention underscores the judiciary's role in ensuring accountability and justice in cases of medical negligence. The directives for compensation and a thorough investigation aim to provide relief to the affected family and prevent such incidents in the future. The case highlights the critical need for stringent quality control measures and vigilant monitoring of medical supplies in public healthcare institutions.
0 Comments
Thank you for your response. It will help us to improve in the future.