A troubling case of molestation has emerged from a health center in Birbhum, Bengal, intensifying the scrutiny faced by the state government and police, who are already under fire for their handling of a recent rape and murder case at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College.
On Saturday night, a nurse at the Ilambazar health center was reportedly molested by a patient while on duty. The patient, who had been brought to the health center for treatment, allegedly touched the nurse inappropriately as she was administering saline.
The nurse claimed that the incident occurred while she was attending to the patient in the emergency department. According to her, the patient, accompanied by family members, touched her inappropriately and also used offensive language. “The male patient misbehaved with me and touched me inappropriately in my private parts while I was just following the doctor’s instructions. He also hurled verbal abuses at me,” the nurse recounted.
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She further criticized the lack of security, suggesting that such incidents are a direct result of inadequate protective measures. “Such incidents occur due to a lack of security. Otherwise, how can a patient dare to do such a thing to someone on duty in the presence of his family members who do nothing to stop him,” she added.
The incident caused significant unrest at the health center, leading the hospital administration to alert the police. Law enforcement arrived promptly and arrested the patient in question.
This new incident follows closely on the heels of the discovery of a postgraduate trainee doctor’s body at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. The brutal murder has incited widespread outrage, with the BJP calling for justice and accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of inaction. The case has highlighted serious concerns regarding security and management within state-run hospitals.
Further complicating the situation, there have been reports suggesting that the accused, Sanjoy Roy, had unrestricted access to various parts of the hospital at all times. Allegations have also surfaced that he might have been involved in arranging hospital services and beds illegally in exchange for money.
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