Two days after a 58-year-old patient lodged an FIR saying she was raped in the MGM Medical College Hospital, the hospital authorities wrote to the state health department on Friday seeking additional security guards.

Hospital deputy superintendent Nakul Chaudhury said they have sought 60 more guards to enhance security.

“Currently there are only 30 security guards, all home guards, who work on three shifts with 10 guards in each shift.

“For revamping the hospital security we need 90 guards. We have, therefore, sent a requisition for additional 60 guards,” Chaudhury said.

He said that till January 31, 2019, there were 91 private security guards and 47 home guards at the hospital.

“All the 91 private security guards were removed from February 1, 2019, leaving only 47 home guards, including around six female ones.

“The number of home guards was reduced to 30 since July 1, 2019,” said the deputy superintendent.

Of the 10 guards in each shift, one is posted at the entrance of the hospital, two at the Emergency block, one lady guard each at the Labour Room and Lady Doctors’ Hostel.

The remaining five guards are on roving round duty.

Chaudhury said they had written to the health department about increasing the number of security guards earlier but got no positive response.

Three years ago a 15-year-old rape survivor who had come from a rural pocket for medical examination and was lodged at a female ward was allegedly raped by one of the security guards posted at MGM.

After the incident was reported to police, R.Y. Chaudhury was removed from the post of hospital superintendent.

No arrest yet

The cops have still not been able to find the 25-year-old youth who had raped the 58-year-old patient on the night of March 5 this year. “We are making all efforts to trace the culprit,” said Sakchi police station officer in-charge Kunal Kumar.