The West Bengal Health Department has issued a notification requesting comprehensive information about all resident doctors from medical colleges and hospitals across the state. The request, made on Saturday, includes details such as registration numbers, Aadhaar and PAN numbers, mobile numbers, and academic records.
Resident medical officers and senior residents hold non-practicing positions, meaning they are prohibited from engaging in private practice outside of their hospital duties. The health department has not provided a specific reason for this data request, but it has stirred concern within the medical community, which is still reeling from the recent rape and murder of a junior doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College & Hospital.
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The timing of the notification has added to the unease, particularly in light of recent developments involving the suspension of three doctors. The suspended individuals include Avik De, the former resident medical officer in the radiodiagnosis department at Burdwan Medical College; Dr. Birupaksha Biswas, the former senior resident in the pathology department at the same hospital; and Mustafizur Rahaman Mallick, a resident medical officer at Midnapore Medical College & Hospital.
The reports indicate that these doctors were close to Sandip Ghosh, the former and controversial principal of the West Bengal Medical Council. Ghosh is currently in Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) custody over alleged financial irregularities linked to RG Kar Medical College. Complaints have emerged accusing the suspended doctors of using their political connections to harass and threaten junior doctors.
However, the medical community views the notification as significant, given the backdrop of these suspensions and ongoing investigations. A crucial hearing on the rape and murder case is scheduled for Monday at the Supreme Court, where the CBI will present its progress report.
