Patients in maternity ward given phenyl instead of tonic

Amravati, Maharashtra: Seven women in a government hospital in Amravati were served phenyl by an attendant, who thought he was giving them a vitamin tonic.   A case of medical negligence will be registered today against the hospital, say local administration officials.

The women who were made to drink phenyl have all delivered babies just three days ago. They complained that the liquid being given to them smelled strange, but were reassured that it was safe.

A nurse had delegated the task of serving the vitamins due to the mothers to a young ward boy. The phenyl was stored in an old tonic bottle.

The new mothers were ill for the next five hours. They were not able to breast feed their babies till they had recovered. Their condition is now stable and the police is recording their statements.