The West Bengal government has decided to move in government doctors to the fire-ravaged AMRI Hospital to take charge of the treatment of 19 patients who are still housed in the main building because they are too unwell to be moved out.
"We have to do it because the house doctors (of the hospital) are scared and reluctant to treat the patients there," state public health engineering minister Subrata Mukherjee said on Sunday. "Some of the visiting doctors were ready to come to the hospital but not the regular house doctors."
"Doctors and specialists from government medical college hospitals will be moved to provide treatment in AMRI Dhakuria," added Mukherjee who has been directed by chief minister Mamata Banerjee to supervise the government's efforts in the aftermath of Friday's tragedy.
According to government sources, AMRI doctors are afraid they will face public outrage if they visit the hospital. After the disaster, locals have at different times blocked the entrance of the hospital - their protests directed at the hospital's doctors and staff who allegedly fled at the first sign of fire.
Patients rescued from the hospital's main building and annexe (where the fire occurred) have been sent to different hospitals in the city. Of the patients still in the hospital, 9 are in intensive care unit.
{{/usCountry}}Patients rescued from the hospital's main building and annexe (where the fire occurred) have been sent to different hospitals in the city. Of the patients still in the hospital, 9 are in intensive care unit.
{{/usCountry}}The hospital now wears the look of a fortress and security guards are not allowing mediapersons inside.
A patient's sister alleged she was not being given any information. "My brother Deb Kumar Mitra jumped from the window and saved his life, but was critically injured. He was put up under intensive care in the main building. Since then we are getting no information about him and we are not even allowed to meet him. We do not know whether he is getting proper treatment or any doctors are present inside," said Tapashi Chatterjee.