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Dr. Saha, MD, PhD on indefinite “hunger strike”
from February 6, 2009 in New Delhi
Historic
battle against "medical negligence" starts in India
Columbus, Ohio, Jan 25, 2009
Dr. Saha, MD, PhD
President, PBT
Dr. Saha wrote: The Editor-in-chief/News Editor,
NRIpress.com
I am leaving US on Tuesday (Jan. 27) and will be reaching Delhi
on Thursday (Jan. 29) morning. I have called a “press conference”
on Friday (Jan. 30) at 2:30 PM at the FCC (Foreign Correspondent
Club) at AB-19 Mathura Road in Delhi. Although I’ve been to
India numerous times over the past 11 years in the course of this
seemingly impossible legal battle since my wife died in 1998 in
the most incomprehensible manner during a social visit to India
as a result of gross medical negligence by some “eminent”
Kolkata doctors, this upcoming trip to India is truly unprecedented
for more reasons than one. Apart from seeking justice for my departed
wife, my visit will focus on our continued battle against the pervasive
corruption in the present medical system, anarchy in the medical
councils, absolute lack of equitable justice for the countless victims
of medical neglect and against the corruption within NACO/World
Bank for using substandard blood testing kits putting serious danger
to innocent patients in India of contracting HIV, Hepatitis, Dengue
and other deadly infections through tainted blood.
As I indicated before, I am going to start an indefinite “hunger
strike” from February 6, 2009 (Friday) seeking expedited justice
not only for my departed wife but also for all victims of “medical
negligence” in India. Other victims of medical malpractice
from different parts of India will also join me in this unprecedented
“hunger strike”. Our protest is not only against corruption
in the medical fraternity but also against the overtly flawed justice
delivery system in India. Investigations of doctors guilty even
for the most brazen act of medical neglect (e.g. leaving gauze/scissors
inside the body causing death of a patient) are deliberately stalled
for years and decades in India allowing these reckless medicos to
continue killing defenseless patients. Their licenses would be immediately
suspended in any other civilized nation.
I was threatened for my life in the past during my stay in Kolkata
in the course of the “criminal” case in 2002-2003. At
the request of the US Consular office in Kolkata, I was provided
police protection by the local government at that time. However,
two senior doctors were convicted for "criminal negligence"
under IPC Section 304A and sentenced to jail for the first time
in Indian medico-legal history in that case for causing wrongful
death of my wife, Anuradha Saha. But I feel even more threatened
this time because of the magnitude of the present scenario. I’ve
already sent a request to the Delhi Police Commissioner seeking
police protection during my stay in Delhi. I will bring this and
all other pertinent issues before the media during my “press
conference” on Friday (Jan. 30). I will leave Delhi probably
on the same day and will return to start the indefinite “hunger
strike” on February 6, 2009. I earnestly request you to cover
this "press conference" and bring it to the millions of
ordinary people and hapless victims of medical negligence in India.
I would also be pleased to participate in a suitable program during
my short stay in Delhi do discuss these vital issues on healthcare
and our upcoming historic protest against medical negligence.
- I will have a local telephone in Delhi (Tel No: 9910044319)
as soon as I reach India.
- You can also contact my attorney Mr. Venkataraman (Tel: 9910090030),
senior advocate Mr. M.N. Krishnamani (Tel: 9811065316 or 011-2923-0482)
- or “People for Better Treatment” (PBT) head office
in Kolkata (Tel: 9831783120/9433385520).

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