The state health department has transferred the Medical Superintendent and Vice Principal (MSVP) of Medical College and Hospital Kolkata (MCHK), Anjan Adhikari, to Raiganj Government Medical College and Hospital, where he has been assigned as a professor of pharmacology.
New Appointment and Routine Transfer
Dr. Santanu Sen, a professor of general surgery at MCHK, has been appointed as the new MSVP. This marks the first transfer in the medical college administration in West Bengal since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) assumed office. While health officials have described the move as a routine transfer, sources indicate that further changes are anticipated, not only within the medical college administration but also in other key bodies such as the West Bengal Health Recruitment Board (WBHRB) and the West Bengal University of Health Sciences (WBUHS).
Anticipated Reshuffling
A source from the health department stated, "We are expecting reshuffling of officials who were embroiled in controversies." This suggests a broader effort to address administrative concerns and potential misconduct.
Background of Controversy
During the RG Kar protest, a complainant had approached various agencies, including the state vigilance commission, the then Chief Minister, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), alleging a racket operating at MCHK. The complainant named former Trinamool Congress MLA Sudipto Roy, who served as the Rogi Kalyan Samity chairman of the college, as the alleged kingpin, claiming he was in collusion with several hospital officials, including MSVP Adhikari.
There have also been complaints about touts operating within the hospital, who charged unsuspecting patients and their families significant sums in exchange for beds, which are supposed to be provided free of charge at government hospitals.
Adhikari's Previous Role
Before becoming the MSVP of MCHK in July 2022, Adhikari was a professor of pharmacology at Cooch Behar Medical College. His transfer to Raiganj represents a return to academic duties.
Demands for Reform
Doctor forums, including the Joint Platform of Doctors, have written to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, demanding comprehensive reforms. These include an overhaul of the WBHRB and WBUHS administrations, as well as restructuring of the West Bengal Medical Council.
The health department's actions signal a potential wave of administrative changes aimed at addressing long-standing grievances and improving governance in the state's healthcare system.
