Doctors at Midnapore Medical College withdraw cease-work; suspended doctors seek police protection

Police personnel try to stop clashes between supporters of Leftist and youth organisations during a protest over the death of a woman after the delivery of a baby at a State-run hospital, in Midnapore, on January 11.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Protesting junior doctors at Midnapore Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) in West Bengal withdrew from cease-work in protest of the suspension of doctors in the case involving expired saline. A suspended doctor has also moved the Calcutta High Court demanding protection from police action. The developments came after 12 doctors, including six juniors, in MMCH were suspended after alleged “medical negligence” in “expired saline” administration case.

Late on Tuesday (January 21, 2025) night, the protesting doctors withdrew their strike after “assurances” from the State authorities about their appeal to retract the suspension of the six junior doctors in the expired Ringer Lactate administration issue, which led to a woman’s death post-childbirth and four post-partum mothers falling critically ill on January 9.

The junior doctors wrote a detailed letter to the Director of Medical Education (DME) and asked for detailed investigation into the matter. They called the suspension “unwarranted” and claimed that they followed all protocol. The letter also spoke about the Ringer Lactate intravenous fluid manufactured by Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical, the same company which was banned by the Karnataka government in December for not being up to standard.

On Wednesday (January 22, 2025), the Joint Platform of Doctors wrote another letter to the Chief Secretary of West Bengal and called the suspension an “unleashing of heightened administrative assault and punishment and reported application of non-bailable sections under BNS”. Their letter also stated that such action is a “form of vengeance” and has made the “medical community a scapegoat” and called for an immediate revocation of the suspension orders.

On January 16, the Mamata Banerjee government had suspended 12 doctors in this case citing “medical negligence”. Since the suspension came into effect, MMCH has witnessed protests from junior doctors who found support from both junior and senior doctors working across the State, including the West Bengal Junior Doctors Front (WBJDF).

Moving court

Meanwhile, a suspended senior resident doctor of MMCH has moved the Calcutta High Court stating that while investigating the issue, Crime Investigation Department (CID) fast-tracked the investigation and put all the blame on the junior doctors. She raised questions about the controversial Ringer Lactate solution used in the government hospital that many sections of doctors claimed may have been the major factor behind the woman’s death. The senior resident has asked for “protection” from police action.

The case is expected to be heard on January 27.