Kolkata: The junior doctors of Midnapore Medical College and Hospital went on a complete ceasework from 8 AM on Friday in protest against the suspension of six of their fellow colleagues.
In a statement, the doctors said, ‘We, the junior doctors of Midnapore Medical College and Hospital are deeply disheartened by the administrative decision of suspension of six junior doctors following the unfortunate demise of one pregnant mother alongside critical condition of three others. To divert attention from adverse drug reactions and multiple deficits and corruption in the health system on the part of the administration, we believe this is an attempt of making scapegoats, and it’s extremely agonising that on-duty junior trainee doctors have also been framed as enemies of the society, where, in fact, they were actually trying to save some lives.’
‘The junior doctors of Obgn and Anaesthesia dept have announced complete ceasework effective till further notice. All the junior doctors of the hospital stand in solidarity with our fellow colleagues in this state of moral crisis, and announce complete ceasework effective from 8 AM on Friday till further notice,’ they added.
‘We hope good senses will prevail, things will be decided on humanitarian grounds, and suspension order on junior doctors would be revoked immediately by the administration. Hopefully, only after detailed and transparent investigation, administrative measures should be taken, if anybody proven guilty,’ they stated.
It might be mentioned that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday suspended 12 doctors for dereliction of duty and ordered a CID inquiry into the death of a young mother and a newborn allegedly following the administration of spurious saline in the state-owned Medinipur hospital.
Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister, also the state Health Minister,
said the Medics were placed under suspension pending investigation by the CID.
The Chief Minister took the action after Calcutta High Court while adjudicating a PIL pulled up the state government on the issue and directed the state to pay compensation to the bereaved families.
Banerjee also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the family of each of the deceased.
“This incident took place because of the negligence of those who were on duty that day. We do not know what would have happened if other patients had gone to them. So this punitive action was taken,” said the CM.
Banerjee told reporters at Nabanna that the negligence of doctors, who are believed to be saviours, will not be tolerated by her government.
Mamoni Ruidas (30) and a newborn died allegedly after being administered spurious saline in the Medinipur Medical College and Hospital last week.
The suspended medics include the Midnapore Medical College and Hospital Superintendent and some Postgraduate trainees.
The suspended medics are– Jayanta Kumar Rout, MSVP; resident medical officer Somen Das, assistant professors Dilip Kumar Pal and Himadri Nayak; Head of Department (Gynaecology and Obstetrics) Mohammad Alauddin; Senior Resident Pallabi Banerjee, and postgraduate trainees from first year and third year Moumita Mandal, Bhagyasree Kundu, Sushanta Mandal, Pooja Saha, Manish Kumar and Jagriti Ghosh.
Earlier in the day a Division bench of Calcutta High Court led by Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya heard a set of PILs demanding an impartial inquiry into the contaminated IV fluid incident.
Health-related issues rocked the state once again after the rape and murder of a young woman medic in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024.
“It is rather disturbing to know that despite an order passed in December 2024 directing to stop manufacturing, the Health Department did not take proactive action to suspend the usage of the drugs. This was only done on 14th January,” Chief Justice Sivagnanam said in the order while directing the government to pay compensation to the bereaved family and submit a comprehensive report to the court. “We fail to understand why it took more than 10 days to pass orders for withdrawal of existing stock.” the court said.
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said he had visited the home of the lady who passed away at the Medinipur Medical College after delivery. Adhikari alleged that the incident occurred owing to the administration of faulty, substandard, expired & poisonous Ringer’s Lactated (RL) saline procured from “Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical Ltd”.
” It’s heartbreaking to see the newborn child who lost his young mother right after birth, due to the negligence of the WB Health Dept,” he said.
Adhikari also assured the bereaved family members that he would take care of all the expenses regarding the upbringing and education of the child.
“I have advised the husband not to accept any paltry sum as compensation, as the State Govt is the accused party in this case it must cover Punitive damages, and if the State Govt offers employment then it must be a permanent Govt job and not some temporary casual job.”
‘I have assured the family that I will extend support if they intend to
pursue any legal battle against the State Govt.” the BJP MLA said on his social media platform.
