IMA suspends membership of RG Kar Hospital ex-principal Sandip Ghosh

NEW DELHI: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has suspended the membership of former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital principal Sandip Ghosh from vice-president post of its Kolkata branch. The suspension order was issued today amid a CBI probe into the alleged rape and murder of a junior doctor at the Kolkata-based RG Kar Medical College and Hospital earlier this month.

The decision to suspend the IMA membership of Ghosh, who is the vice president of the IMA's Kolkata branch, was taken by its disciplinary committee constituted by the national president Dr RV Asokan. Considering the subsequent developments at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the IMA general secretary along with Asokan had met the victim's parents at their home, the official statement read.

"They had put up their grievances against you (Sandip Ghosh) in dealing with the situation as well as lack of empathy and sensitivity in handling the issue in appropriate manner befitting the responsibility held by you in your dealings with them," the order said.

"The IMA Bengal state branch as well as certain associations' of doctors also have demanded action citing the nature of disrepute brought by you to the profession on the whole," it said. The order said the disciplinary committee of the IMA has "unanimously decided to suspend you forthwith from the membership of Indian Medical Association."

Meanwhile, the Union health secretary Apurva Chandra and home secretary Govind Mohan during a virtual meeting today issued new directives to enhance the security measures in hospitals and ensure doctors’ safety.