Kolkata youth dies at RG Kar hospital, family alleges no doctor was available amid ongoing strikes

New Delhi: A 28-year-old man, Bikram Bhattachajee, tragically died during treatment at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College Hospital, with his mother accusing the hospital of medical negligence and delayed care. Bikram, a resident of Konnagar in Hooghly, had been admitted after being run over by a truck. His mother, Kabita Bhattacharjee, claimed that the absence of doctors in the emergency ward led to a delay in treatment that cost her son his life. "A lot of time was wasted. Within that time, his surgery should have been completed. But there was no doctor available, not even an emergency doctor," she alleged.

Hospital refutes negligence claims

The hospital administration has denied the allegations, asserting that Bikram was immediately transferred to trauma care upon his arrival. Medical Superintendent Dr. Saptarshi Chatterjee stated that Bikram had suffered major limb and head injuries and was being prepared for a CT scan when he began struggling to breathe. "He passed away and was declared clinically dead while the scan was being planned," Chatterjee said.

Ongoing doctor protests fuel controversy

The incident has occurred amidst ongoing protests by RG Kar Hospital’s resident doctors, who have been demanding safety following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor. Political leaders have weighed in on the situation, with Ex-Trinamool Congress MP Kunal Ghosh alleging that Bikram went untreated for three hours.

Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee called the incident a "consequence" of the protests, urging doctors to find a way to protest that does not disrupt essential medical services. "Allowing a death due to preventable neglect is tantamount to culpable homicide," Banerjee remarked. While no formal police complaint has been filed by Bikram's family, a general diary entry has been noted.