In a perplexing incident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital (RGKMCH) in Kolkata, it was initially reported that several fresh surgical gloves contained what appeared to be bloodstains. However, nearly 20 days later, an internal investigation revealed that these stains were not blood. Moreover, the inquiry highlighted that the gloves in question were not sourced from the hospital's central medical stores, leaving many unanswered questions regarding their origin.
Dr. Saptarshi Chatterjee, the medical superintendent and vice principal of RGKMCH, explained the findings of the investigation to the media, stating, “The batch number of the gloves, which were supplied to the hospital from the central medical stores, and the batch number of the gloves on which the stains were found do not match. The GRN number also does not tally. This means that these gloves were not received by the hospital. We still don’t know where the gloves came from. The investigation is still going on.”
The situation first emerged on October 10, when a medical intern attending to an HIV patient discovered reddish stains on a pair of freshly opened surgical gloves. Initially, the intern suspected that someone might have mistakenly placed used gloves in the box. However, upon further inspection, it became apparent that multiple gloves from the same box exhibited similar reddish stains. The intern remarked, “The moment I took out a pair of gloves from the box, I found reddish stains on them. I thought somebody might have mistakenly kept used gloves inside the box and took out a second pair. Even they had the same blood-like stains.”
The batch number of the gloves, which were supplied to the hospital from the central medical stores, and the batch number of the gloves on which the stains were found do not match.
Dr. Saptarshi Chatterjee, Medical Superintendent and Vice Principal of RGKMCH
This alarming discovery raised concerns among the medical staff, particularly regarding the potential risk of spreading infections and diseases. In response to the complaints, the state health department initiated a probe, and the gloves were sent for testing to determine the nature of the stains.
Subsequent tests conducted by the hospital's biochemistry laboratory confirmed that the stains were not of blood origin. Dr. Chatterjee noted, “Tests conducted by the biochemistry laboratory confirmed that those were not blood stains. We have now sent the gloves to the forensic science laboratory to check what caused the stains...whether it was caused by some chemicals. We would be able to confirm once we get the forensic reports.”
The RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has been under scrutiny since an incident on August 9, where a trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered in a seminar room on the premises. This tragic event sparked nationwide protests and drew attention to the need for improved security and infrastructure within state-run medical colleges and hospitals.
The moment I took out a pair of gloves from the box, I found reddish stains on them. I thought somebody might have mistakenly kept used gloves inside the box.
The Intern
In the aftermath of the incident, junior doctors in Kolkata have consistently protested for enhanced safety measures. Alongside the outcry for security reforms, several allegations of corruption have surfaced, including claims of the illegal sale of biomedical waste 3 financial irregularities during the tenure of Sandip Ghosh, the principal of the college from 2021 to 2024. Ghosh was expelled following the rape-murder incident, which further compounded the issues facing the institution.
As the investigation into the bloodstained gloves continues, hospital authorities remain vigilant in uncovering the source and nature of the stains. The matter has raised significant concerns regarding the hospital's safety protocols and the integrity of the medical supplies being used.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)
