Chaos at RG Kar hospital: Family alleges medical negligence after patient death

Kolkata: Tension gripped the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on Tuesday night following the death of an elderly patient, which sparked allegations of severe medical negligence. Family members of the deceased, identified as 65-year-old Jaibun Nisha, staged a protest claiming she was left unattended for nearly 45 minutes despite being in critical condition.

Nisha, a resident of Belgachia, was brought to the trauma care unit around 8 p.m. with respiratory distress. Relatives allege that although a doctor was present, he initially refused to examine her. It was only after a prolonged delay, during which the family claims no medical attention was provided, that a group of junior doctors arrived. By then, the patient's condition had deteriorated irreversibly, and she passed away despite last-minute efforts.

The death triggered an immediate outcry from the family and neighbors, who raised questions about the hospital's service standards. Shamim Akhtar, a relative of the deceased, strongly criticized the facility. "The situation at RG Kar Hospital is very bad. We would advise against bringing anyone to RG Kar if their condition is critical. The doctors are getting police support, but we are not receiving any services. There is utter chaos throughout the entire hospital," Akhtar told reporters.

A heavy contingent of police and central reserve personnel, already stationed at the hospital, intervened to disperse the agitated crowd. The situation was brought under control by Wednesday morning. While the family has demanded a formal investigation, hospital authorities have yet to issue an official response.

This incident brings fresh scrutiny to RG Kar Medical College, which remains in the national spotlight following the August 9, 2024, rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor on the premises. That event sparked nationwide protests regarding hospital safety. While the convict, Sanjoy Roy, has been sentenced to life imprisonment, the CBI continues to probe the "larger conspiracy" behind that crime.

(Inputs from IANS)