A crisis unfolded on September 27 at the College of Medicine & Sagore Dutta Hospital as doctors convened a meeting with Principal Prof. Parthapratim Pradhan, police officers, and heads of departments following a mob attack on on-duty medical personnel.
The Resident Doctors Association (RDA) reported that 15-20 individuals entered a medicine ward, initially posing as caregivers for a female patient. After the patient’s death, the situation escalated, with the mob threatening female doctors and vandalizing the ward.
According to the RDA, the attackers issued violent threats, including rape and death threats, while physically harassing female postgraduate trainees, interns, nursing staff, and general duty assistants. "They left with a promise to recreate the 'R G Kar incident,'" the statement noted, referencing a previous tragic event involving the murder of a PGT at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College.
In response to this alarming attack, junior doctors at Sagore Dutta Hospital have suspended services and announced a complete cease-work until adequate security measures are implemented. Dr. Shubam Sabherwal, Legal Advisor to the RDA, criticized the authorities for failing to ensure safety and security, highlighting the ineffectiveness of police and security personnel during the incident.
Dr. Shreya Shaw, a postgraduate trainee at RG Kar, voiced concerns about the ongoing threats to safety, stating, "We are back to square one. No improvement has been implemented in terms of safety and security." The RDA is now advocating for the deployment of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officers at hospitals and the enforcement of the Central Protection Act to safeguard medical staff, underscoring the urgent need for change to prevent further violence against healthcare workers.