A document has surfaced more than a month after protests by junior doctors against renovation work at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital following the rape and murder of a training doctor.
As per the document, the construction work was carried out in agreement with the doctors, reported India Today. The document, dated August 12, shows that a resolution was reached to make some constructions and alterations to the existing structure to make space for basic amenities for the medics.
The document was signed by eight people including three junior doctors and three nursing staff. Dr Arunava Dutta Chowdhury, the head of the Chest Medicine department and executive engineer posted at RG Kar Hospital also signed the document.
Following the signatures, the hospital authorities started renovating the areas in front of the seminar hall.
As per the report, a large section of junior doctors started agitation against the hospital authorities after the body of the trainee doctor was found. They protested against not having proper facilities for the on-duty doctors.
The protestors said they had to go to the seminar hall to rest as there were not enough rooms to rest at night for women. During the agitation, the junior doctors made a few demands including a changing room, restrooms, and construction of restrooms.
A meeting was held after which joint inspections were carried out on August 10 and 12. The inspection process was joined by junior doctors representatives, nurses, executive engineers, and hospital authorities.
Following the joint inspection, a decision was taken about the kind of changes required and accordingly, the construction began on August 13. However, a viral video of demolishing a wall of a room in front of the seminar hall triggered new allegations against the state administration for allegedly trying to wipe out evidence.
Following the uproar, the renovation was immediately stopped by Kolkata police. Kolkata High Court also wrapped the state government asking its “urgency” to renovate portions near the seminar hall where the dead body of the trainee doctor was found.
