A huge commotion erupted on Sunday at the Baghajatin State General Hospital in the city after a doctor was found to be drunk while on duty.
“This incident is very unfortunate. It is a criminal offence. It has been decided that he will be suspended. We are considering whether or not he will be arrested,” Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has additional charge of the Health Department, told a private news channel.
The incident was brought to light by a patient being attended to by the doctor.
Later, the doctor himself admitted to news channels that he had consumed beer, adding: “I think it was very wrong of me to do so”, and even “I do not think I should go on being a doctor after what I have done.”
However, angry residents rushed to the hospital protesting against his behaviour, some of them claiming that he was a habitual offender. Huge crowds gathered on the hospital premises and a police escort had to be brought in so that he could be taken to another hospital.
A district official said medical tests must be conducted before any action could be mooted.
Ms. Banerjee said a laxity had crept into the mindset of certain government employees, which would not be tolerated.
Union Minister of State for Health Sudip Bandopadhyay called for “exemplary punishment” should the allegation be substantiated.
