Ramakanta Biswas

Baripada: In a glaring example of medical negligence, a patient was allegedly administered expired saline at Kaptipada community health centre (CHC) in Mayurbhanj district.

According to sources, Narendra Nath Mohanty of Dundaria village in the district was admitted to the CHC on Sunday for treatment of diarrhoea.

After preliminary check-up, Mohanty was administered saline. However, Mohanty’s son was shocked to notice that the saline administered to his father had expired in October, 2019.

Tension erupted at the hospital after the matter came to light with relatives of the patient creating ruckus in the premises alleging gross medical negligence.

“I had admitted my father to the health centre and he was administered six IV fluid bottles by 1 pm. The doctor administered another saline at 8 pm. When 50 per cent of saline emptied, I noticed that the IV fluid bottle bore a manufacturing date of 2016 and expiry date of October, 2019,” said Tusharkanta Mohanty, son of the patient.

Expressing displeasure over the matter, he demanded that the doctor should give in written and admit that they have administered the expired saline. "They should take the responsibility if my father experiences any side-effects,” he added.

The on-duty doctor however passed the buck to the nurse and said she should have checked the saline before administering it to the patient.

“It is not possible on part of the doctor to look into everything. The nurse on duty should have checked it before administering it to the patient,” said Dr Umakant Baske.

Latest reports said that the police have detained the doctor for interrogation.

scrollToTop