'No doctors available,' youth dies at Kolkata's RG Kar hospital
A 28-year-old man passed away during treatment at RG Kar Medical College Hospital in Kolkata on Friday. His mother has accused the hospital of medical negligence and claimed that no doctors were available at the time of the incident. "A lot of time was wasted. Within that time, his surgery should have been completed. But there was no doctor available, not even an emergency doctor," she said. Bikram Bhattachajee was admitted to the hospital after being hit by a truck.
Hospital refutes allegations of medical negligence
However, officials at RG Kar Hospital have denied the family's allegations. Medical Superintendent cum Vice Principal Dr. Saptarshi Chatterjee stated that Bhattachajee was immediately taken to trauma care upon his arrival on Friday morning. "His two limbs had major injuries. We also found that there was a major injury to his head. He was taken for a CT scan. While the CT scan was being planned, Bikram was gasping to breathe. He passed away and was declared..dead," he said.
Political reactions to the incident amid doctors' protest
As news of Bhattachajee's death spread, former Trinamool Congress MP and party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh took to social media, alleging that Bhattachajee did not receive treatment for three hours. Meanwhile, Diamond Harbour MP and party general-secretary Abhishek Banerjee called the incident a "consequence" of the ongoing protest by doctors. He also alleged that Bhattachajee bled for "three hours without receiving medical attention." A general diary entry has reportedly been made, although Bhattachajee's family has yet to file a formal complaint.
Doctors' protest and political reactions to the incident
The incident has ignited controversy amid ongoing protests by resident doctors at RG Kar Hospital over the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor last month. The doctors are demanding workplace safety and justice for the 31-year-old victim. Last month, the Supreme Court also called on the agitating doctors to resume their duties. The court emphasized the importance of the country's health-care infrastructure and promised protesting doctors that they would face no coercion once they resumed their work.
