Since last year, SSKM has witnessed as many as nine incidents of theft. Yet, till today, the police and the authorities have no concrete clues as to the identity of the perpetuators.

The gang has targeted all departments, including gastroentereology, cardiology, nephrology, as well as the wards and hostels. Even the state Human Rights Commission has directed the police and the health department authorities to conduct a probe. The burglaries are believed to be the handiwork of a nexus comprising criminal gangs, hospital staff and touts.

Authorities vigilant
SSKM Superintendent Professor Ashok Kumar Ghosh said: “We are concerned about the increased number of thefts in our hospital. Every few months, valuable equipment is stolen. There is a gang operating on our campus. I have had meetings with the police and sent a report to Swasthya Bhavan regarding the situation.”

“A section of our employees may be involved with the miscreants. We are trying to probe that angle too,” he added.

A senior doctor said: “There is a lot of construction and repair work going on in the hospital and new equipment has also been bought. This leaves many departments vulnerable to theft. A handful of private security guards and a police outpost are not enough. We have asked for extra security cover.”

“We are trying our best. However, it is not possible to deploy policemen in every nook and corner of the sprawling hospital premises,” said an officer of the Bhowanipore police station.

Patients affected
The series of thefts have also affected treatment and care of patients. The theft in the Institute of Cardio Thoracic Sciences led to the cancellation of all ‘super-specialty’ surgeries since March 29, as the air-conditioning was rendered inoperative.

“The AC equipment was very expensive and installed only in a few corporate hospitals. Of the state-run hospitals, SSKM was the first one to have them installed,” said a health department official.

“The machines ensure there is no contamination during a surgery,” said a cardiac surgeon. “During open-heart surgeries, the heart is vulnerable to infection when taken out of the body. The AC machines lessen the risk to a great extent.”

Work at other departments like Nephrology, Gynaeocology was also affected following the thefts.

Snatchings On too
Relatives of patients also complained of snatchings. Swapan Dhara, whose brother is admitted in the emergency ward, said: “A few days ago my belongings were stolen inside the hospital. At night, there are no security guards, except for the emergency unit where a police picket is posted.”