'Women Are Unsafe': Nurse Alleges Molestation by Patient at Bengal Hospital Amid Kolkata Horror

Birbhum: A nurse on duty at the Ilambazar Block Primary Health Center in Birbhum district has accused a patient of molestation, triggering a widespread tension at the facility. The incident took place late Saturday night when the nurse went to administer saline to a young male patient admitted to the emergency department. According to the nurse, the patient inappropriately touched her while she was channelling his hand for the saline procedure. 

"A patient came at night. As advised by the doctor, I went to give him saline. The patient lays his hands on me while channelling his hands. He was also abusive. I am insecure here. How dare a patient come to the health centre? His family members were also in front. Everyone saw what happened," the nurse stated in her complaint to the police.

The situation escalated as news of the alleged molestation spread through the health centre, prompting a protest by health workers outside the local police station on Sunday morning. The protesting staff demanded increased security at the health centre, including 24-hour police presence, to ensure the safety of workers, especially during night shifts. "There is never a police presence here, morning or night. But after this incident, after we informed the police station, the police came. I have filed a written complaint. The patient was taken away by the police," the nurse added, highlighting the security concerns at the health centre.

An eyewitness to the incident, who was assisting the nurse at the time, narrated her account. "An assistant has to be in front while giving saline to the patient. So I was with the nurse. The incident happened in front of my eyes. Didi went to channel the patient’s hand for saline. The patient then molested her. We’ve all seen it. Didi went away crying. We all protest the incident. They came as soon as the police were informed. But women are not safe at night."

Following the incident, the hospital authorities immediately called the police, who arrived at the scene and arrested the accused patient. The investigation is ongoing, and the health workers continue to demand stricter security measures at the facility to prevent such incidents in the future.