Kolkata hospital horror: US-based doctor slams West Bengal govt for failing to ensure safety of frontline health workers
Times of India | 26 August 2024
Nurses take part in a protest march over the alleged sexual assault and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor, in Kolkata. (PTI Photo) KOLKATA: A US-based doctor involved in India's polio eradication and measles surveillance efforts has criticised the brutal rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, denouncing the West Bengal government's failure to ensure the safety of frontline health workers.
Dr. Ananda Sankar Bandyopadhyay, deputy director of the polio team at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, expressed his shock and sorrow over the incident and called for accountability.
"I am infuriated, ashamed, and saddened. I have spent sleepless nights in shock and horror over what happened at RG Kar Hospital. My heart and soul are with Kolkata and those rising against this heinous crime against a female frontline health professional," Bandyopadhyay said.
Bandyopadhyay, who grew up in Kolkata and studied medical science at one of its premier colleges, reflected on his experiences working in Kolkata.
"I was born and raised in Kolkata. The city and its inclusive, forward-looking culture shaped me. I never felt unsafe in Kolkata, and I believe this was true for my female classmates and colleagues, at least from my perspective," he said.
He recalled his days at Calcutta National Medical College & Hospital (CNMC), where he and his colleagues, including women health professionals, worked round-the-clock without ever feeling unsafe.
"I, along with my batch mates and colleagues -- many of whom were women -- worked round-the-clock in the hospital. This included spending nights in seminar rooms as we did not always have dedicated places to rest. But we never felt unsafe on the hospital premises," he added.
Reflecting on the recent incident, Bandyopadhyay criticised the administration for failing to ensure the safety of frontline health workers and pointed out a lack of accountability.
"The inadequacy of safety for frontline health workers has long been an issue, with violent assaults occurring in the past. However, this incident surpasses all forms of barbarity. Equally glaring is the failure of authorities to prevent such a heinous crime within hospital premises. If we cannot protect those who save lives, especially women frontline professionals, we have failed as a society," he said.
Bandyopadhyay expressed solidarity with the junior doctors whose strike has paralysed healthcare services in West Bengal for the past 17 days, hoping for a swift resolution.
"No one understands the suffering of patients more than doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff. I stand in solidarity with those demanding safety and dignity at their workplace. I am saddened by the suffering of people and hope the situation improves soon," he stated.
When asked whether he felt Kolkata was no longer safe for women, Bandyopadhyay responded with hope.
"I hope that is not the case. Even though it may feel like we are in desperate times, let us not succumb to despair. The peaceful protests are a mark of courage and hope. We should contribute positively -- through our behaviour at home, at work, by raising children with values of empathy, equity, and inclusion, and by speaking out against injustice. I hope this apparent decline is transient, and Kolkata will regain its status as a safe, vibrant, and lively city," he said.
Bandyopadhyay called for accountability and transparency from law enforcement and health authorities to uncover the failures that allowed this crime to occur on hospital grounds.
"There should be an absolute urgency to resolve the case and ensure that both the perpetrators and those who failed to prevent it are held accountable. The focus should be on uncovering the lapses that led to this crime, not on covering them up," he stressed.
He also urged the media to play a constructive role by avoiding sensationalism and respecting the privacy of the victim and her loved ones.
"I believe there is room to dial down the tone and pitch of reporting to minimise misinformation and avoid provocation," he concluded.