The West Bengal Medical Council has sought detailed information about a postgraduate trainee (PGT) doctor Kinjal Nanda at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, from the college principal, seeking documents that confirm whether Nanda obtained permission from the institution to pursue his acting career, officials said on Saturday. Additionally, the council has also sought details about Nanda’s service record, including his allowance, working hours, among other details, officials said.
Notably, Nanda was a prominent figure in the protest movement by the junior doctors that followed the rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar in August last year. He is also a known face in the Bengali film industry.
Reacting to the development, Nanda told mediapersons that this was nothing but a repression policy of the state administration. “I am not surprised. I heard about the letter but did not see the letter,” he said.
Earlier, the state administration also took similar steps against Asfaqullah Naiya, who participated in the movement, and sent police to his house.
Meanwhile, the health department has issued a verbal directive to all the medical colleges in the state to submit the duty rosters of senior, junior and teacher doctors by Monday, said officials.
As per the roster, doctors who fail to report for duty or are found to have made errors during their scheduled hours will be identified and held accountable, with strict action taken against them, if necessary. According to health department sources, the CCTV footage will also be seen if needed to verify the presence of senior doctors.
Reportedly, the health department is required to verify the attendance of doctors, and officials may conduct surprise visits to confirm whether doctors are present on duty, performing their responsibilities as expected. They will also verify if a senior doctor was present during surgery.
The move comes after the death of a woman and four other women falling critically ill following childbirth after they were allegedly administered ‘expired’ intravenous (IV) fluid at the Midnapore Medical College and Hospital, in Paschim Medinipur district, earlier this month. The state government suspended 12 doctors including seven PGTs for “negligence” in the incident.