Doctors call strike at Calcutta Medical Hospital after assault

Over 100 junior doctors at the Calcutta Medical Hospital have gone on an indefinite strike since last night. The strike was called after doctors and nurses in the hospital were assaulted following the death of a patient.

The relatives of the deceased allege medical negligence on part of the hospital staff as the reason for Alexander Singh’s death. Relatives allege that Singh’s oxygen mask was removed while he was being transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and that led to his death. Singh was admitted in the hospital at around 6.30pm last evening with severe respiratory distress.

Following Singh’s death his relatives allegedly assaulted nursing staff and junior doctors on duty. Three people were injured in the incident. Police had to be called in to disperse the angry crowd. Health department officials were also rushed to the hospital.

The OPD at the Calcutta National Medical College is no longer admitting patients after doctors announced an indefinite strike.

Government medical hospitals and doctors have been at the receiving end of the of public anger in Kolkata following high infant mortality rate in these hospitals. At least 34 babies have died in government hospitals in West Bengal since 25 October.

Between 25-28 October, 16 babies died at the BC Roy Children’s Hospital - the only children’s referral hospital in Kolkata. The Burdwan Medical College and Hospital reported 12 infant deaths 27-28 October. Six babies died in a Malda district hospital since Wednesday. Earlier in June, 18 babies had died at the BC Roy Children’s Hospital.

Meanwhile, Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukhejee expressed concern over medical care in the state and said the death of babies in government hospitals was a serious problem and should be addressed urgently.

“It is a serious problem and we have to address it urgently,” Mukherjee told reporters in Kolkata.

Agencies

Watch Video