Bengal Doctors on hunger strike in protest against suspension of 12 colleagues

Kolkata — Thirty-eight doctors at Medinipur Medical College and Hospital began a hunger strike late Saturday in protest of the suspension of 12 colleagues. The suspensions stem from the deaths of a woman and her newborn, allegedly after they were administered expired Ringer’s lactate.

The striking doctors allege the suspensions of six junior and six senior doctors are an attempt to deflect from the issue of the expired Ringer’s lactate supplied by Paschal Bang Pharmaceuticals Limited. The company was previously blacklisted by the Karnataka and West Bengal governments. The suspended doctors include the hospital’s medical superintendent-cum-vice principal and the resident medical officer.

“We have been repeatedly appealing for revoking the suspension of the 12 doctors,” said a fasting junior doctor. “We have communicated with different departments through email on this issue. However, failing to get any reply, we ultimately decided to go for the hunger strike.” The hunger strike follows a partial work stoppage at the hospital that began earlier this week.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the suspensions last week and gave a virtual clean chit to the supplier of the Ringer’s lactate.

Two investigations into the deaths are underway: one by a team of experts appointed by the state health department and another by the Criminal Investigation Department of West Bengal Police.

The Service Doctors’ Forum, an association of doctors in West Bengal, has also called for a judicial inquiry into the deaths. The group submitted a request to Gov. C.V. Ananda Bose on Friday, alleging the suspensions are an attempt to cover up the administration of expired Ringer’s lactate from a blacklisted company. The forum claims the post-mortem report of the deceased woman, Mamoni Ruidas, who died Jan. 10, indicates her death was a result of the saline or medicine administered to her.