Ten days have passed since a shocking incident occurred at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) in Siliguri, yet the inquiry report remains pending. A stray dog was spotted carrying the severed hand of a road accident victim, sparking public outrage and questions regarding hospital negligence.
Details of the Gruesome Incident at NBMCH
The events unfolded on the night between May 29 and May 30. Sanjay Sarkar, a 26-year-old man, was rushed to the NBMCH trauma care center following a severe road accident. Doctors stated that his hand was severed from his body during the crash. While the patient was undergoing critical treatment, the severed limb was reportedly placed in a bag on the floor near the male orthopedic ward.
Family members of the victim recounted a horrific sight shortly after. They spotted a stray dog inside the medical facility holding the severed limb in its mouth. Despite efforts to retrieve it, the dog escaped, and the limb could not be found. This loss has added immense psychological distress to the physical trauma already suffered by the victim, who remains under treatment at the center.
The presence of stray animals inside a critical care unit raises serious concerns about hygiene and security. In many Indian public hospitals, security guards are tasked with preventing such entries to avoid infection risks and incidents like this. The failure to secure the premises has drawn sharp criticism from local residents and patient welfare groups.
Probe Committee Fails to Meet Deadline
In response to the uproar, NBMCH Principal Professor Indrajit Saha formed a six-member probe committee on May 30. The committee includes heads of several key departments to ensure a thorough investigation.
The committee members are:
- Head of the Medicine Department
- Head of the Orthopedics Department
- Head of the Surgery Department
- Head of Forensic Medicine
- The Deputy Superintendent
- The Nursing Superintendent
The initial directive demanded that the report be submitted within seven days. However, that deadline has passed without any findings being made public. This delay has led to accusations of “tardiness” and a lack of urgency from the hospital administration.
Professor Saha addressed the media regarding the delay. He confirmed that the report has not yet been submitted. He assured the press that he would discuss the issue with the committee members. He further stated that once the report is in hand, it will be immediately forwarded to the health department for further action.
Blame Game: Hospital Protocols vs. Family Claims
A major conflict has arisen regarding who is responsible for the safety of the severed limb. The hospital authorities have attempted to shift the burden onto the patient’s family. According to the hospital, the on-duty doctors had handed the severed limb over to the patient party. They argue that the family members failed to take proper care of the organ.
The family has strongly denied these allegations. Dipankar Sarkar, the brother of the victim, questioned the logic behind the hospital’s actions. He asked why the medical staff did not take professional steps to preserve the organ, which is standard procedure in trauma cases.
“The slackness of the committee has raised questions. The report should be placed as quickly as possible.”
– Dipankar Sarkar, Brother of the victim.
Standard medical guidelines for preserving severed limbs typically involve cleaning the part, wrapping it in sterile gauze, and placing it in a watertight bag submerged in ice water. Leaving a severed limb in a bag on the floor makes it vulnerable to theft by animals and rapid tissue decay, rendering reattachment impossible even if the limb is recovered.
| Entity | Claim/Position |
|---|---|
| Hospital Authorities | The limb was handed over to the family; the family was negligent in guarding it. |
| Victim’s Family | Doctors should have preserved the organ medically; hospital security failed to stop the dog. |
Administrative Pressure and Public Health Concerns
The delay continues despite pressure from higher authorities. Dr. Susanta Kumar Roy, the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) for public health in North Bengal, intervened on May 31. He explicitly asked the NBMCH authorities to submit the report at the earliest possible date. Additionally, Gautam Deb, the chairman of the NBMCH patient welfare committee, has advocated for a speedy submission.
The lack of a report has fueled skepticism among a section of the medical community. There are growing doubts about whether the internal inquiry will be truly impartial. Critics fear that the responsibilities of the on-duty medical staff might be shuffled or downplayed to protect the institution’s reputation.
This incident highlights a recurring issue in public health infrastructure. According to the National Action Plan for Dog Mediated Rabies Elimination, managing stray dog populations is critical for public safety, yet their presence within sterile hospital zones points to a lapse in basic facility management.
The family and the public are waiting to see if the report will lead to systemic changes. They are demanding that accountability be fixed, not just for the loss of the limb, but for the security lapses that allowed a stray animal into a trauma ward.
The incident at NBMCH is a heartbreaking reminder of the gaps in our healthcare safety protocols. It is not just about a missing report; it is about the dignity and safety of patients who trust hospitals with their lives. We hope justice prevails for Sanjay Sarkar soon.
Share your thoughts in the comments below. Has your local hospital faced similar hygiene issues?
#NBMCH #MedicalNegligence #SiliguriNews #PatientSafety #HealthcareCrisis
Disclaimer:
This article contains details about a medical trauma case involving severed limbs which may be disturbing to some readers. The information is based on reports regarding an ongoing investigation at NBMCH. Reader discretion is advised.
