Patient forced to walk to toilet dies at RG Kar Hospital, second death in 3 days

A second patient died within 72 hours at RG Kar Hospital, with his family alleging that a lack of stretcher and basic facilities forced the critically ill man to walk 100 metres, leading to his death.

A fresh allegation of medical negligence has surfaced at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata after a patient died under circumstances his family said point to serious lapses in basic infrastructure and patient handling. The incident marked the second such death at the state-run facility within three days.

The man, identified as Biswajit Samanta, was brought to the hospital's trauma care unit early on Monday morning with complaints of severe chest pain. While treatment reportedly began soon after his arrival, his condition deteriorated following an incident linked to the lack of basic amenities.

According to family members, Samanta needed to use a toilet during his time in the trauma unit. They alleged that hospital staff told them there was no toilet facility on that floor and directed them to a "pay and use" toilet located around 100 metres away, outside the trauma centre.

The family said they repeatedly asked for a stretcher to move him, but none was provided. With no assistance available, Samanta attempted to walk the distance himself. After covering roughly 50 metres and trying to climb to the second floor, he collapsed and lost consciousness.

His wife alleged that despite his critical condition, he was forced to walk due to the absence of a stretcher. She said he fell unconscious while returning from the toilet and questioned why such basic issues remain unaddressed.

Samanta was eventually taken to the emergency department, where doctors declared him brought dead.