Bhopal pregnant PG medico suicide case: GMC HOD of Gynaecology removed

Bhopal: As the medical fraternity continues its indefinite strike calling for justice for Dr Bala Saraswati, the HOD of the gynaecology department of Gandhi Medical College, (GMC) Bhopal has been removed from her position by the college authorities on Wednesday after allegations came to light that she allegedly harassed a 27-year-old PG student, leading to her suicide.

Although the authorities sacked the HOD to end the junior doctor's strike, the agitating doctors have confirmed that they will call off the strike only when they receive a copy of the official order.

Information is being received that Dr Bharti Singh Parihar of the department has been made the in-charge HOD. This has been confirmed by the senior doctor attached to the Dean's office of Gandhi Medical College, reports TOI.

Also read- 3rd Year MD Gynaecology Medico Of Gandhi Medical College Takes Anesthesia Overdose, Commits Suicide

Today is the third day of the strike started by the junior doctors of the medical college and Junior Doctors' Association (JDA) Bhopal, following the suicide of a 27-year-old PG student in her apartment by injecting herself with anaesthesia. She was 14 weeks pregnant at the time of the incident.

Medical dialogues team had earlier reported about the female doctor, who was pursuing post-graduation in gynaecology, was found unconscious by her husband in their rented apartment. 

Her death has opened the gates of condemnation from the medical fraternity from all corners of the country including JDA which released a statement on August 1 citing demands in support of the strike.

Referring to the Dean and Superintendent of GMC Bhopal, the Commissioner of Medical Education (CME), the Directorate of Medical Education (DME), the state health minister and also the chief minister, the association said, "In view of the unfortunate event, JDA Bhopal is on strike effective immediately. As difficult as a strike is on everyone, it is far more difficult for a family who is seeking justice for their daughter."

The following are protesting students' demands:

1. Resignation of the Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology effective immediately.

2. All those who are responsible for this incident are to be suspended from their respective posts until the inquiry is underway.

3. None of these faculties should be internal or external examiners for the next three years

4. Immediate steps should be taken to ensure a healthy working environment and decreased abuse and toxicity in the departments

They have suspended all services at the college, including emergency services from, August 2. Apart from JDA, organisations like the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), United Doctors' Front Association (UDFA) and the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) have also shown solidarity with the victim.

The suicide note that is making rounds on the internet has shocked the medical fraternity and the public who were heartbroken to read it through. Uploading the images of her suicide note on Twitter, an AIIMS doctor said, "Reading this suicide note of the Doctor died Made everyone Cry. If we are not stopping this. We are at fault."

Apologising to her parents, the doctor wrote, "My thesis will never be done and these people will never relieve me, no matter what. Even if I put my blood and soul and give everything I have, it is never enough for them."

"I have learnt the subject but these people's lack of ethics and toxicity is too much for me to bear with...I'm really sorry," it adds.

Supporting the strike and seeking justice for Dr Saraswati, Health Activist Dr Dhruv Chauhan tweeted, "Dr Saraswathi was 14 weeks pregnant who committed suicide because she was not allowed to give her Exams. Her thesis was rejected by a toxic Gynae dept of GMC Bhopal. Few months back a Pedia resident committed suicide in the same college due to Toxicity. Toxic Head of gynae dept is still on her post. 

The toxicity is a vicious cycle because the honest and decent HODs or Deans don’t come out in support of their residents while the toxic Professors / HODs keep silently pressurising their students to the level of typical torture. NMC needs new reforms for appointment of Heads of depts based upon their record of dealing with students and its reviews with a Harassment cell for such toxic debts." 

When asked about the working environment at the college, the first-year PG residents alleged that it is the worst in the Gynaecology department. The junior residents' doctors wrote a letter to the GMC administration on Tuesday revealing the harassment and abuse they had to face at the hands of the authorities in the college. 

As per a media report in FPJ, “In view of the recent tragedy in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, we want to put this in front of all that all the residents and doctors in the department have been abused physically and mentally for many years but their mouths have been shut because of the statement ‘Chup Raho Nahi To pass nahi karenge. Degree Milti Nahi Di Jati hai,” read the letter.

“Working for more than 36 hours straight without sleep, food and water, there is no room for error. We are treated like donkeys and called Kamchore. And let alone if anyone falls sick we cannot take leave. Yesterday, when we were mourning the loss of our colleague, one of the faculty members threatened us for speaking up,” the resident doctors mentioned in the letter.

"We wanted this to come out but lacked courage. We still cannot come out in front or else we will be targeted individually. We were never afraid of work. It was just about the environment that needs to be altered,” the letter further mentioned.

The police are currently investigating the case although no legal action from the police force came to the fore yet. 

Also read- Depression: Senior Gynae Oncologist Commits Suicide By Jumping Off Building