Jalpaiguri woman in coma after childbirth; Family alleges toxic saline or medical negligence

Shantana Ray, a 23-year-old woman from Boalmari Nandanpur in Jalpaiguri, is in a critical condition following complications after childbirth. On December 29, she was admitted to the Jalpaiguri Medical College’s Mother and Child Hub for labor. A cesarean section was performed that night, resulting in the birth of a son. However, the following day, Shantana's health began to deteriorate, and by January 2, her condition had worsened to the point where she was transferred to North Bengal Medical College for further treatment.

Shantana is currently on a ventilator at North Bengal Medical College, where she is being treated for severe kidney failure. Her family alleges that the decline in her health may be linked to the administration of saline following the cesarean section. Her husband, Uttam Matbar, voiced concerns about the possibility of toxic saline being administered, drawing a parallel to the Medinipur Medical College incident, where contaminated saline was implicated in patient deaths. The family has filed a written complaint with the Kotwali Police Station, urging an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Shantana’s sudden deterioration.

The complaint raised by the family has prompted the Jalpaiguri Medical College administration to take action. In response, they have formed a five-member investigation committee, including specialists from the gynecology department, to examine the events leading to Shantana’s condition. The committee’s objective is to assess the treatment administered to her, the medical procedures followed, and whether any negligence occurred during her care. Dr. Kalyan Kha, MSVP of Jalpaiguri Medical College, confirmed that the investigation would be conducted thoroughly and promptly.

The local authorities and healthcare professionals are closely monitoring the situation, given the increasing concerns over medical safety. The investigation is expected to focus on the specific circumstances surrounding Shantana's surgery, including the type of saline used, the dosage administered, and any other potential factors that could have contributed to her deteriorating health. At present, Shantana remains in a critical state, and the family continues to seek answers regarding the cause of her medical crisis. This incident comes in the wake of similar concerns raised in Medinipur, where toxic saline led to the deaths of several patients. In response to that incident, 12 doctors were suspended for their roles in the malpractice.