- Home
- MedBound Hub
- InternshipInternship
- BiographyBiography
- InterviewInterview
- Medicine
- Pharmacy
- Physical Therapy
- Biotechnology
- College/InstituteCollege/Institute
- Dentistry
- Blog
- Wellness & Nutrition
- Nursing
- Opinion
- Videos
BALURGHAT, WEST BENGAL—Eight women developed severe health complications after receiving injections following childbirth at Balurghat Super Specialty Hospital in South Dinajpur, West Bengal, triggering an immediate investigation by health authorities. The new mothers, who received the injections on July 18, 2025, experienced symptoms such as intense shivering, respiratory distress, and fever, with families blaming suspected Amikacin injections as the cause.
Hospital officials swiftly shifted the women to the critical care unit for specialized treatment between Friday night and Saturday morning, soon after they began experiencing symptoms. While all have stabilized, they remain under close medical observation, according to hospital sources.
According to The Telegraph, six of the eight women had delivered their children on Tuesday, while the other two had delivered a couple of days earlier. The Amikacin injection—typically administered to prevent uterine or post-caesarean infection—was given to all eight women on Friday, prior to the onset of symptoms that later raised concern.
Families have demanded accountability, alleging medical negligence in the administration of the injections.
“There must have been something wrong with the injections, but doctors assured us, and my wife is quite stable now,” said the husband of one of the women, speaking to The Times of India.
Dr. Sudip Das, the chief medical officer of health (CMOH), South Dinajpur, announced the formation of a high-level committee to investigate the incident. The committee, comprising senior health officials, will examine whether the injections were contaminated, expired, or improperly administered. Preliminary reports suggest possible issues with the injections’ batch, but no official findings have been confirmed.
“All eight women are stable but under treatment. We have formed a three-member medical board to treat the women. A 10-member committee has been constituted to probe the case. A clear instruction has been given to ensure that the particular batch is not used at the hospital to give the Amikacin injection. We have also sterilized the operation theatre, and samples from there, as well as samples of the injection, have been sent for necessary tests,” said Dr. Das.
The incident recalls a recent tragedy at Midnapore Medical College and Hospital, where a woman died after receiving expired intravenous fluids. Supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other political groups staged protests outside the hospital, accusing the state health department of systemic failures. Balurghat MP and Union Minister of State for Education, Sukanta Majumdar, condemned the incident as “deeply concerning” and called for a thorough investigation to hold those responsible accountable.
The investigation committee has begun its inquiry, with authorities assuring strict action against anyone found negligent, though no official timeline for the report has been announced. The incident has intensified scrutiny of patient safety and the quality of medical supplies in West Bengal’s healthcare system, prompting calls for urgent reforms.
(Rh/Eth/PB/MSM/SE)
