A distressing incident unfolded at Maharaja Jitendra Narayan Medical College and Hospital (MJN Hospital) in Cooch Behar, where a senior nurse from Darjeeling, Sr. N. Tamang, was allegedly physically assaulted and verbally abused by a first-year PGT, Dr. Vivek Raj. The altercation reportedly began when Sr. N. Tamang asked Dr. Vivek to draw blood from a patient after interns and lab technicians failed to do so. Dr. Vivek, feeling offended, refused, stating it wasn’t his responsibility and used derogatory language towards Sr. N. Tamang. He allegedly proceeded to push and kick her while hurling abusive words.
Despite the intervention of security guards and another doctor, Dr. Vivek’s aggression continued, and the senior doctors on duty were seen laughing, adding insult to injury. Subsequently, the nurses lodged a formal complaint with the police, prompting the hospital to form an inquiry committee.
Dr. Rajiv Prasad, the MSVP of MJN Hospital, assured a thorough investigation and appropriate action, emphasizing the need for fairness despite conflicting accounts. However, his response regarding the senior doctors’ behavior was dismissive, citing their seniority and reputation.
The incident has left Sr. N. Tamang traumatized, echoing a similar assault on a nurse from Kalimpong in 2021, which saw no repercussions. This highlights a failure on the part of hospital authorities and the WB Health Department to ensure the safety of nurses. Calls for strict action against the offending doctor underscore the importance of nurses feeling secure in their workplace, free from the threat of assault, especially by those expected to uphold professional standards.
