53 mins ago
Kolkata Medical Intern Apologises After Newborn Photos Spark Privacy Debate
A medical intern in Kolkata shared pictures and videos involving newborn babies at a hospital.
The posts were made in areas including the neonatal and labour room sections.
Many people questioned whether newborn patients should appear on social media.
They said privacy and consent were important, even if families had reportedly given permission.
Dr Cyriac Abby Philips criticised the posts and asked the intern to remove them.
The intern first said she had permission and wanted the photos as memories.
She later deleted the posts and apologised.
She said she had not understood that sharing the images publicly could be inappropriate.
She also promised not to share baby photos again.
Sudeshna Mondal, a medical intern at Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital, posted photos and videos with newborn babies.
The posts, taken in neonatal and labour room areas, went viral and prompted questions about patient privacy and consent.
Hepatologist Dr Cyriac Abby Philips, known online as TheLiverDoc, urged Mondal to remove the posts and warned of possible trouble.
Mondal initially said she had received permission from families and postgraduate doctors and had shared the images as a memory.
She later deleted the newborn-related posts, apologised, and said she would not post photos of babies again, with or without consent.
- Who
- Sudeshna Mondal, a medical intern at Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital, and Dr Cyriac Abby Philips, known as TheLiverDoc.
- What
- Photos and videos involving newborn babies were posted on social media, leading to an apology and debate over privacy, consent and professional conduct.
- Where
- Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal, including neonatal and labour room areas.
- When
- After the posts went viral; the articles do not provide a specific date.
- Why
- The posts prompted concerns about whether newborn patients should be publicly shown and whether medical professionals should share such content.
Consent and Context
Privacy and Professionalism
Whether permission made the posts acceptable
Consent and Context
Mondal initially said she had obtained consent from family members and postgraduate doctors before sharing the images.
Privacy and Professionalism
Critics argued that newborn patients should not become subjects of public social media content, even when families had reportedly given permission.
Purpose of sharing the images
Consent and Context
Mondal said she took the photographs as a memory and did not initially realise that public sharing could be inappropriate.
Privacy and Professionalism
Critics said healthcare professionals must protect patient confidentiality and exercise responsible judgment in medical settings.
Reason for the apology
Consent and Context
Mondal said she apologised after recognising the sensitivity of newborns and to protect her mental peace, denying that college authorities pressured her.
Privacy and Professionalism
The controversy raised concerns about professional conduct, possible hygiene issues and the broader use of patient-related content online.
Key facts
- Intern
- Sudeshna Mondal
- Hospital
- Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital
- Location
- Kolkata, West Bengal
- Content posted
- Photographs and videos involving newborn babies
- Critic
- Dr Cyriac Abby Philips, popularly known as TheLiverDoc
- Action taken
- Mondal deleted the newborn-related posts and issued a public apology
- Future commitment
- She said she would not post photos of babies again, with or without consent
Quotes
Sudeshna Mondal
Medical intern who posted the newborn photographs and later apologised.
“This is to apologise for my misdemeanour in my recent tweets. I completely understand there is a huge social and personal sentiment attached to a newborn baby, and I am really sorry for hurting it, as I genuinely didn’t know it wasn’t okay to do it – you observe and learn.”
freepressjournal.in
“As of now, I have deleted all the posts where a newborn is being handled and won’t be posting any further photos of babies, be it with or without consent.”
freepressjournal.in
Dr Cyriac Abby Philips
Hepatologist who criticised the intern’s social media posts.
“You can really get into real trouble for this. A letter to the National Medical Commission (NMC) with your details and this post is good enough,”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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