The West Bengal government has suspended 12 doctors after the death of a woman and a newborn in the alleged expiry saline case, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday.

A woman died and four others were critical after delivery of babies at a State-run hospital after they were administered Ringer’s Lactate saline which had allegedly expired.

Mamoni Ruidas died last week, and the baby passed away on Thursday morning. The West Bengal CID began its investigation into the matter.

“Twelve doctors have been suspended along with pending investigation by the CID. This incident took place because of their negligence,” Banerjee told reporters.

Suspended doctors

The suspended doctors were working at State-run Midnapore Medical College and Hospital in Bengal’s West Midnapore district.

“This is an unfortunate and sentimental incident and our government does not support it. The reports filed by the CID and that by the expert committee are the same. We have found negligence by several doctors and decided to suspend 12 of them,” Banerjee said.

“I am compassionate towards doctors, but if there is any injustice, then I do not care about the criticism. So, after seeing the two reports and taking suggestions from the Chief Secretary and the Home Secretary, we have taken this step,” she added.

These suspended doctors include the medical superintendent-cum vice-principal (MSVP) and the resident medical officer of the Midnapore Medical College and Hospital.

Earlier in the day, the Calcutta High Court pulled up the Mamata Banerjee government for not taking proactive steps to suspend the usage of contaminated IV fluids in the state-run healthcare facilities.