Bengal Hospital Doctors Stage Hunger Strike Against Colleagues' Suspension
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Synopsis
In Kolkata, 38 doctors from Medinipur Medical College and Hospital are on hunger strike protesting the suspension of 12 colleagues following a tragic incident involving expired medical supplies. They argue that the suspensions are a diversion from the actual issue of accountability regarding patient safety.
Key Takeaways
- 38 doctors on hunger strike.
- Protesting suspension of 12 colleagues.
- Suspension linked to expired Ringer’s Lactate.
- Claims of diversion from the actual cause of death.
- Ongoing investigations by health department and CID.
Kolkata, Jan 19 (NationPress) A group of 38 doctors from the state-operated Medinipur Medical College and Hospital in West Bengal has initiated a prolonged hunger strike in response to the state government's decision to suspend 12 of their colleagues.
The junior doctors commenced their protest late Saturday night. Last week, the 12 doctors were suspended following the tragic deaths of a woman and her newborn, allegedly due to the administration of expired Ringer’s Lactate.
The protesting junior doctors claim that the suspension of the 12 doctors, including six juniors and six seniors, is an attempt to shift focus from the real issue—the deaths resulted from the use of expired Ringer’s Lactate supplied by Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals Limited, which has been blacklisted by both the Karnataka and West Bengal governments.
Among the 12 suspended doctors are the medical superintendent-cum-vice principal (MSVP) and the resident medical officer (RMO) of the same facility.
While announcing the suspensions last week, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee seemingly absolved the pharmaceutical company that provided the expired Ringer’s Lactate.
“We have continuously urged for the reinstatement of the 12 doctors. We have reached out to various departments via email regarding this matter. However, after receiving no response, we resolved to undertake a hunger strike. This action follows our partial work stoppage at the hospital that began a few days prior,” stated a fasting junior doctor.
Currently, a dual investigation is underway concerning the saline-related fatalities, one led by a team of experts appointed by the state health department and another by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of West Bengal Police.
The Service Doctors’ Forum (SDF), representing doctors in West Bengal, approached the office of Governor C.V. Ananda Bose on Friday, requesting intervention to initiate a judicial inquiry into the deaths of the woman and her newborn.
The SDF asserts that the suspension of the doctors is intended to distract from the actual cause of death, which is the administration of expired Ringer’s Lactate from a blacklisted entity, Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals Private Limited.
Furthermore, the medical association has indicated that the post-mortem report of the deceased woman, Mamoni Ruidas, who passed away on January 10, indicates that the death resulted from the adverse effects of saline or medication administered to her, and thus, the suspension of the 12 doctors appears to be a diversion from the core issue.
