Junior Doctor Claims ‘Blood-stained’ Surgical Gloves Found in Sealed Boxes at R G Kar Hospital

Kolkata: A junior doctor at state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital here on Thursday alleged that he found blood-stained surgical gloves in sealed boxes while treating a patient.

"The use of such gloves could cause infection," he stated. The junior doctor asserted that he discovered these gloves while treating a patient suffering from an infectious disease at the trauma care centre of the hospital. 

"If the stains were from mud or dirt, they would have been wiped off. But it seems these are blood stains," the doctor said. 

In response, the state health department's central medical supplies department announced it would investigate the matter. The junior doctor claimed this issue was not an isolated issue at RG Kar Hospital but was a widespread problem across various medical colleges. 

He also noted that saline bottles contaminated with fungus were found on September 28. 

The situation at the hospital has been tense since a medic was allegedly raped and murdered there on August 9, which triggered a ‘cease work’ protest by junior doctors for nearly two months in two phases. 

They demanded justice for the victim and a “thorough clean-up” of the state healthcare system, along with strengthening safety measures within medical college campuses. A group of junior doctors was currently on a fast unto death to press for their demands.

Additionally, the CBI was investigating the rape-murder case, as well as another matter concerning financial irregularities at RG Kar Hospital. Its former principal, Sandip Ghosh, has been arrested in connection with both cases.

(With PTI inputs)