The West Bengal government has enacted a series of administrative changes at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata in response to widespread protests by doctors and students following the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old female doctor. These changes come after intense demonstrations and demands for reform led by the medical community.
1. Leadership Shake-Up: Professor Dr Suhrita Paul, who was recently appointed principal of RG Kar Medical College after the previous principal Dr Sandip Ghosh’s resignation, has been removed from her position. She will now assume the role of principal at Barasat Government Medical College and Hospital. Dr Manas Kumar Bandopadhyay has been appointed as the new principal of RG Kar Medical College.
2. Administrative Replacements: Professor Dr Bulbul Mukhopadhyay, the medical superintendent of RG Kar Medical College, has been replaced by Professor Dr Saptarshi Chatterjee. Additionally, Professor Dr Arunabha Dutta Chaudhuri, who headed the department of chest medicine where the victim was a postgraduate trainee, has been removed.
3. Protests Lead to Action: The changes followed a protest march led by students and senior doctors from the CBI office to Swasthya Bhawan, the headquarters of the state health department. The demonstrators presented a list of demands, including the removal of the principal, to top officials.
4. Controversial Appointment Canceled: The West Bengal government has also canceled the controversial appointment of Dr Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College, as the head of Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital. This appointment had faced criticism from the courts and public.
5. Investigation and Response: The 31-year-old doctor, who was on night duty, was found deceased in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College on August 9. Medical examinations confirmed the rape, which has sparked nationwide protests calling for improved safety measures for healthcare professionals.
6. Supreme Court Intervention: The Supreme Court has intervened in the case, establishing a National Task Force to recommend measures for ensuring the safety of healthcare professionals. The investigation into the rape and murder has been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the Calcutta High Court, due to perceived shortcomings in the Kolkata Police’s handling of the case.
7. Arrests and Investigation: Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer, was arrested by Kolkata Police shortly after the doctor’s body was discovered. As of now, no further arrests have been made. The CBI has submitted a report on the investigation’s progress to the Supreme Court in anticipation of today’s hearing.
The recent administrative changes and ongoing investigations reflect the seriousness with which the West Bengal government is addressing the horrific incident and the demands of the medical community for justice and improved safety protocols.
Sources By Agencies
