Patient at Kolkata hospital sexually molests nurse, arrested

A man was arrested for allegedly molesting an on-duty nurse at a government-run health centre on Saturday in Birbhum district of West Bengal. The incident happened when the nurse was administering a saline drip to the man who was brought to the health center on a stretcher due to high fever.

According to the nurse's complaint to the police, the patient touched her inappropriately while she was attending to him. The nurse further alleged that the patient not only touched her inappropriately but also used offensive language towards her.

The hospital authorities immediately called the police, who arrived at the scene and arrested the accused. A formal written complaint has been lodged with the Ilambazar Police Station, and an investigation is now underway.

Recounting the incident, the nurse said, "A male patient was brought in during the night shift with a fever complaint. As advised by the doctors, I was preparing to administer saline to him when he misbehaved. He touched me and used foul language. We feel unsafe working here due to the lack of proper security. How could a patient act this way?"

Dr Masidul Hasan, who was on duty at the health center on the night of the incident, provided further details, stating, "Around 8.30 pm, a patient named Abbas Uddin arrived from Chotochak village with a fever. He started misbehaving as soon as he arrived. After some clinical examinations, we advised that he be given injections and IV fluids. When the nurse went to administer the saline, the patient behaved violently and molested her by touching her inappropriately. We requested the patient's family to cooperate, but the patient continued to misbehave. We have reported the incident to the police and the authorities. If no action is taken, we will consider a cease work".

The incident comes weeks after a trainee doctor was raped and murdered at government-run RG Kar hospital in Kolkata. A civic volunteer, Sanjay Roy, was arrested the next day in connection with the crime.

The Kolkata Police and hospital administration were criticised for their handling of the trainee doctor's case. The case is now being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

(With inputs from our Birbhaum stringer Santu Hazara)