Suspension Of 12 Doctors For 'Negligence' Sparks Fresh Fight Between CM Mamata & Junior Medics

Twelve doctors at a Bengal hospital were suspended for alleged negligence leading to a woman's death. Junior doctors protested the move, citing systemic corruption in the health department.

Police personnel try to stop clashes between supporters of leftist and youth organisations during a protest over the death of a woman after the delivery of a baby at a state-run hospital in Midnapore on Saturday.

Source : PTI

The Bengal government suspended 12 doctors of the Midnapore Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) on Thursday, January 16, for alleged negligence. The government held the doctors responsible for the death of a woman during childbirth on January 15. The alleged negligence also resulted in four others falling sick, reported news agency PTI.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee offered Rs 5 Lakh and a government job for a member of the family of the deceased as compensation. The suspension sparked another protest by junior doctors who resorted to a ‘complete cease-work’ to oppose the decision.

The junior doctors alleged that the suspension of the 12 doctors, including six junior doctors, of the obstetrical-gynaecological department and the anaesthesia department was an attempt to divert attention from the "systemic corruption" within the health department. Medics from both departments joined the protest late Thursday night, to voice their support for their suspended colleagues, the PTI report said.

"We have started an indefinite complete cease work here at the MMCH to protest the suspension of our colleagues at the OBGN and anaesthesia departments,” one of the protesters said. The protesting doctor further alleged that the suspension was a cover-up to hide the supply of expired and poor quality drugs to hospitals by the health system.

The 12 doctors who have been suspended include, the medical superintendent and vice-principal of the hospital, the resident medical officer, the department head, one resident doctor, and six post-graduate trainee doctors.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said that both reports filed by West Bengal Police CID and a 13-member experts' committee set up by the health department found these doctors “negligent”. In addition, Banerjee indicated plans to file an FIR against the doctors. She also advised the suspension of the use of certain medical supplies, the quality of whose is in question across state-run hospitals.