West Bengal Removes RG Kar Hospital Officials Amidst Doctor Protests

On Wednesday, the West Bengal government removed three senior officials from RG Kar hospital in response to protests by junior doctors over the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee. Former principal Dr. Sandip Ghosh was also removed from his new position at Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital, according to State Health Secretary NS Nigam.

The officials from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital (RGKMCH) were reassigned to various state-run health facilities. As per the order issued Wednesday evening, Prof. (Dr.) Bulbul Mukhopadhyay, the Medical Superintendent and Vice Principal of RG Kar hospital, was replaced by Saptarshi Chatterjee with immediate effect. Manas Kumar Bandyopadhyay was appointed as the new principal of RGKMCH, succeeding Suhrita Paul, who was moved to the Barasat Government Medical College and Hospital. 

Additionally, Arunabha Datta Chaudhuri, head of the chest medicine department at RGKMCH, was transferred to Malda Medical College and Hospital.

Nigam stated, "As per demands of the junior doctors, we are bringing in some changes for which we have no objection. We want normalcy to be back and healthcare services to be regularized. Security arrangements have also been enhanced."

The junior doctors at RGKMCH have been on strike since August 9, protesting the alleged rape and murder of a fellow medic and demanding justice.