Violence at Raiganj Medical College: On-duty doctors suffer injuries in mob attack, Colleagues boycott OPD

According to the intern, the incident unfolded rapidly and took an unexpected turn on 27th June at 11:30 PM in the Surgery Department of Raiganj Medical College and Hospital. A child came to the hospital with abdominal pain. After one of the doctors attended her, she was referred to the surgery department. The child was accompanied by 6 to 7 guardians and relatives, one of them was a former councillor and they enquired about the availability of beds. However, as no bed was available the house staff requested them to stay put for 15 to 20 minutes. They can only start the treatment after the bed becomes available.

The doctor told Medical Dialogues, “The child was not critical and as there were no beds, the on-duty doctor asked them to wait. One moment they were discussing taking the child to a private facility, the next moment they started having a heated discussion with the house staff alleging medical negligence. One of the male relatives suddenly punched the on-duty doctor in the face. When the doctor tried to appease them, another woman slapped him. When three interns, including two female interns, tried to intervene, they were assaulted also along with the house staff.”