Past Fatal Incidents Highlight Safety Gaps in West Bengal Government Hospitals

The recent discovery of a nurse's body in a Kolkata government hospital washroom adds to a series of alarming deaths in West Bengal's public health system. Two years ago, a junior female doctor was found dead in a seminar room at RG Kar Medical College, with investigations later confirming sexual assault before her demise. The incident ignited large‑scale protests across the state and drew national attention.

Earlier this year, a malfunctioning elevator caused a fatality, and an elderly patient died after being denied a stretcher to reach the restroom. These events have intensified scrutiny of the safety infrastructure in state‑run hospitals.

While the previous government ordered a comprehensive security overhaul for all public hospitals, critics argue that progress has been slow and insufficient. The current investigation into the nurse's death will likely examine whether similar systemic failures contributed to the tragedy.