West Bengal : The West Bengal health department has barred postgraduate trainee doctors (PGTs) at Midnapore Medical College from performing surgeries following the death of a pregnant woman and the critical condition of three others allegedly caused by expired saline administration.
Health Department’s Directives
In a statement, the department mandated that only senior faculty or doctors with MD/MS qualifications may conduct surgeries in the affected departments, including Anesthesiology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Surgery, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, and ENT.
- “Surgical procedures must be conducted by faculty or senior residents with an MD/MS degree. Trainee doctors performing surgeries independently will face disciplinary action,” the statement said.
The directives followed a report from Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant attributing the incident to negligence by trainee doctors who allegedly handled the women’s treatment.
Political Outcry
The tragedy has sparked protests from opposition parties, with BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari and Left Front leaders staging demonstrations in Midnapore. Adhikari demanded Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s resignation as health minister, accusing her of systemic failures.
BJP MP Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato criticized the state’s healthcare system, highlighting issues with medical supply chains and government oversight. In a letter to Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, Mahato raised concerns over:
- Procurement Negligence: The pharmaceutical company supplying the expired saline had previously been blacklisted in Karnataka.
- Healthcare Crisis: Mahato described the incident as part of a broader healthcare crisis in West Bengal.
He called for:
- A CBI investigation into illegal medicine trade and counterfeit drugs.
- Stricter monitoring systems for procurement and distribution of medical supplies.
Family and Public Reactions
The deceased woman’s family lodged a police complaint, holding the hospital accountable for her death. The incident has raised public concerns over the safety and quality of care in state-run hospitals.
Government’s Response
The Bengal government has replaced saline stocks and formed an inquiry committee to investigate the incident. However, opposition leaders criticized these measures as inadequate, demanding more stringent actions to restore public confidence.
Implications
This case has shed light on:
- The critical need for stricter protocols in surgical training.
- Enhanced scrutiny in procurement of medical supplies to avoid similar incidents.
- Political and administrative accountability in ensuring healthcare safety.
The situation continues to draw national attention as families and political leaders demand justice and systemic reforms.
