RG Kar Medical Hospital Under Fire Again: Patient Dies After Being Sent To Toilet Outside Trauma Unit

By Soumita Bhattacharjee

Kolkata: RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has once again come under scrutiny following fresh allegations of negligence, just days after a man reportedly died after being trapped in a lift. The latest controversy involves the death of a critically ill patient, allegedly due to mismanagement.

According to reports, an elderly patient died after being asked to walk to a public toilet facility located outside the hospital premises, as restrooms within the Trauma Care unit were reportedly locked. Atin Ghosh, a member of the hospital’s Patient Welfare Committee is blaming the doctors.

“This is a case of administrative negligence. A patient in such a critical condition should not have been sent outside the Trauma Care unit. He could have been directed to the restrooms meant for doctors. Why was that not done? Why have the toilets remained closed for so long?” Ghosh questioned.

A meeting of the Patient Welfare Committee was scheduled for Monday to discuss the incident. However, Ghosh said he would first consult Swasthya Bhawan to determine whether such a meeting can be held, as the Model Code of Conduct is currently in force.

The incident occurred around 4 am on Monday. The patient, identified as Biswajit Samanta, was brought to the hospital with chest pain, breathing difficulties, and a nosebleed. After receiving initial treatment at the Trauma Centre, he reportedly requested to use a restroom. His family alleged that doctors advised them to take him to a public toilet (Sulabh Shauchalay) near the hospital’s main gate.

While attempting to walk approximately 50 metres, the patient collapsed and lost consciousness. He was rushed back to the Trauma Care unit, where doctors examined him and later declared him dead.

Hospital sources said the Trauma Care unit has two restrooms, one for staff and nurses, and another for patients and attendants. However, the latter is currently in a dilapidated condition. Due to this, doctors allegedly directed the family to use the external facility.

The deceased’s son, Bishal Samanta, said the public restroom was located on the second floor. “After climbing up, my father rested his head on my shoulder and collapsed. I immediately brought him back to the Trauma Care unit,” he said.

According to hospital records, the patient was admitted around 2:30 am and treated until 4:30 am. He was taken to the restroom around 4:45 am, where his condition worsened at about 5:05 am. He was brought back for further treatment but was declared dead at 5:30 am. A preliminary post-mortem report cited cardiac arrest as the cause of death.

Responding to the allegations, Saptarshi Chatterjee said that while multiple restrooms exist within the Trauma Building, most remain occupied due to heavy patient inflow. He added that doctors had proposed installing bio-toilets and discussions were held with the Public Works Department, but space constraints have made implementation difficult.

Chatterjee said the hospital is now focusing on ensuring that all available restrooms are accessible to both staff and patients, instead of maintaining separate facilities.

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