Serious allegations of medical negligence have surfaced at the state-run GMERS Medical College and Hospital in Gotri, Vadodara, after a patient was reportedly administered an intravenous paracetamol infusion that had passed its expiry date.
Family Alleges Grave Negligence
The incident came to light on Saturday when relatives of the patient, identified as Muddasar Sheikh, raised an alarm. The family claimed that the paracetamol infusion used for his treatment carried an expiry date of November, but was administered in December. Muddasar Sheikh was initially admitted to the hospital complaining of stomach pain.
His brother-in-law, Farooq Sheikh, did not mince words in his accusation. He alleged a disturbing pattern, stating that hospital staff might be involved in selling new medicines and using old, expired stock on unsuspecting patients. He termed this lapse as "grave negligence" and drew a sharp comparison, questioning why state authorities conduct surprise checks at eateries but not in critical hospital stores where patient lives are at stake.
Hospital Admits Error, Patient Stable
Confronted with the allegations, officials from GMERS Hospital confirmed the error. They attributed the mistake to the rush of patients, explaining that a staff member "mistakenly picked up last month's infusion instead of a fresh one." The hospital administration has ordered a formal inquiry into the incident and has promised to take "necessary action" based on the findings.
In a relief to all concerned, officials confirmed that the patient is currently stable and there is no immediate threat to his life. However, they noted that his condition had deteriorated after admission, leading to his transfer to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on Friday night, prior to the discovery of the expired medication.
Calls for Stricter Oversight in Healthcare
This incident has ignited a fresh debate about the quality control and inventory management systems in government healthcare facilities. The family's allegations, if proven, point to a systemic failure that goes beyond a simple human error. It raises urgent questions about:
- The robustness of pharmacy and store management protocols in hospitals.
- The need for regular and surprise audits of medical stock, similar to food safety checks.
- Accountability mechanisms to prevent such potentially life-threatening oversights.
The promise of an inquiry will now be closely watched, as the case highlights the critical need for unwavering vigilance in patient safety standards across Indian hospitals.
