In a disturbing turn of events, junior doctors and hospital staff at Sagar Dutta Hospital in Kolkata have gone on an indefinite cease-work protest following a violent attack by a mob on September 27. The incident occurred when a group of 15-20 people, allegedly family members of a 30-year-old female patient who had died, entered the female ward and assaulted interns, house staff, and postgraduate trainees (PGTs).
According to reports, the attackers vandalized the ward, physically harassed the on-duty medical staff, and abused them verbally. This incident has led to widespread outrage among the medical community, prompting the junior doctors to boycott their duties.
Cease-Work and Demands
The Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of Sagar Dutta Medical College has decided to continue the cease-work until their demands for improved security and accountability are met. A meeting between the doctors and the college council, including the principal, dean, heads of departments, and police officers, was held on September 28 but was termed "unfruitful" by the doctors.
The RDA has put forth several demands, including:
- A written justification from the hospital authority regarding their inadequacy in preventing the incident.
- Showcause and written accountability of all security personnel responsible for maintaining security during the incident.
- Written justification for the lack of CCTV cameras in the female medicine ward and outside the female medicine on-call room.
- Written justification for the absence of personnel to monitor CCTV footage, which could have prevented the incident.
- Immediate suspension of interns involved in a previous vandalism incident on September 5, pending completion of the investigation.
- Updates on the proceedings of the inquiry committee on the vandalism incident.
- Immediate approval of the formation of an Authorized Resident Doctors' Association.
- A written account of the authorities on the update of security measures as per Supreme Court orders.
Arrests and Police Deployment
In response to the incident, four individuals have been arrested, and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) has been deployed to maintain order at the hospital.
Ongoing Protests
The cease-work has significant implications for patient care at the hospital. The doctors have expressed dissatisfaction with the assurances given by the authorities and have vowed to continue their protest until concrete actions are taken to address their concerns.
The situation remains tense, with the family of the deceased patient also protesting and demanding the release of the arrested individuals. This has added to the complexity of the situation, highlighting the need for a swift and effective resolution to restore normalcy at the hospital.
In conclusion, the incident at Sagar Dutta Hospital underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures and better protection for healthcare workers. The indefinite cease-work by junior doctors serves as a stark reminder of the risks and challenges faced by medical professionals in their daily duties.
