Kolkata: SSKM Hospital Vandalised, Doctors Attacked After Death Of Patient

Irfan's family began to protest after he passed away from his injuries, claiming that the hospital authorities were to blame for his death.

SSKM Hospital in Kolkata.

Source : File Photo/Getty

New Delhi: A patient's death at Kolkata's SSKM Hospital led the massive protest in which the trauma care center of the hospital was vandalized by the family of the deceased, police said on Monday, reported by news agency PTI. According to police on Monday, the family of a man who died while receiving treatment allegedly attacked a few junior doctors and vandalized the state-run SSKM Hospital in Kolkata.

They stated that Mohammed Irfan, a resident of Chinsurah in the Hooghly district, was admitted to the trauma care center of the multi-specialty hospital on Sunday evening with severe injuries.

Irfan's family began to protest after he passed away from his injuries, claiming that the hospital authorities were to blame for his death.

A police officer stated that the situation quickly grew worse, and they attacked some junior doctors who were present.

"Two junior doctors were injured in the assault. The hospital was vandalised, in which an X-ray machine and few other medical equipments were damaged," he said.

He added that a large police force from the Bhowanipore station arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control. According to the police, no arrests have yet been made.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was critical of the assault on the doctors and blamed the police for the disturbance at the tertiary referral hospital, which is also a well-known national research center.

Banerjee told reporters "The doctors tried their best for four-five days to save the patient. When someone dies young it is sad. But it is not a right thing to beat up doctors and vandalise government properties".

Condemning the role of the police personnel posted in the medical facility during the assault, Banerjee, who is also the state home minister, said "When they (patient's family members) came and left with the body, why did you (police) leave despite there being a permanent camp. So there is negligence on your (police) part too," she added.

Irfan was admitted to the hospital's trauma care center with severe injuries. This caused trouble at the facility. His family claimed that the hospital's carelessness was to blame for his death.

According to the police, the situation grew worse, and they attacked the junior doctors who were present as well as vandalised the hospital.

An X-ray machine and a few other pieces of medical equipment were damaged in the assault, which resulted in injuries to two junior doctors, according to a police official.

He added that a large contingent of officers from the Bhawanipur police station rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control.

Banerjee, who is also the state health minister, sought to assure the hospital's doctors. "Our government will provide full security to junior doctors. I have spoken to the hospital superintendent. There was no senior doctor at night and I think senior doctors should stay at night too,” she said.

The chief minister's directions were implemented within hours.

"We regularly have senior doctors on night duty at SSKM hospital. But from today we have decided to keep one faculty doctor on the night roster as well," a hospital official said.

(With PTI Inputs)