Noida: ‘Fungus found’ in glucose bottles at district hospital

Intravenous glucose bottles at the district hospital in Sector 30 have been allegedly found to be fungus-infected

Intravenous glucose bottles at the district hospital in Sector 30 have been allegedly found to be fungus-infected.

A total of 22,000 glucose bottles were procured from the company and over 5,000 have already been used. (Ishwar Chand/HT Photo)

The drug department has sent seven glucose samples to a government laboratory for testing and stopped further use of the stock. The department said if the test reports show that the glucose is not up to the mark, a notice will be issued to the manufacturer.

“Samples have been sent for testing. We have written to the government laboratory for treating the matter with urgency as it is a serious issue. If fungus is found in the glucose, notice will be issued and strict action will be taken against the company,” said Deepak Kumar, drug inspector, health department, Gautam Budh Nagar.

The issue came to light on Monday when the hospital checked the glucose bottles before use. Three samples of Dextrose Normal Saline (DNS) and Ringer’s Lactate (RL) were found infected.

“The hospital immediately informed the drug department. We have stopped use of the glucose sent by the company. The hospital staff checks all bottles before using them. There is no possibility of infected glucose being given to patients.

We have sufficient alternative stock of glucose,” said Dr Nagendra Mathur, chief medical superintendent (MS), district hospital.

Three samples each of DNS and NS (normal saline) and one of RL have been sent for testing.

A total of 22,000 glucose bottles were procured from the company in October. Over 5,000 units from the stock have already been used by the hospital.

“Fungus was found only in DNS and RL and not in NS. However, we have sent the samples of NS units too as these have also been manufactured by the same company,” Kumar said.