Doctors protest appointment of MP's new Director of Medical Education, cite toxic work culture

Bhopal: Widespread protests have erupted across Madhya Pradesh's government medical colleges following the appointment of the Director of Medical Education (DME). Doctors, including junior doctors and medical teachers, are wearing black bands, opposing her appointment due to her alleged role in the 2023 suicide of a pregnant PG medico at Gandhi Medical College.

The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) has also raised serious concerns, urging state authorities to reconsider the decision in light of past controversies and the need for ethical leadership in medical education.

According to a recent report by Free Press Journal, the appointment of Dr Aruna Kumar as the Director of Medical Education (DME) in Madhya Pradesh has resulted in a state-wide protest. Doctors attached to the government medical colleges in the State have initiated a black band protest demanding immediate cancellation of the said appointment. Apart from the Government doctors, the junior doctors in all medical colleges of the State- Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Rewa and Sagar also treated the patients by wearing black bands.

Dr Kumar was the Head of the Gynaecology Department at Gandhi Medical College back when a doctor had committed suicide in August 2023. Medical Dialogues had reported back in 2023 when the female doctor, who was pursuing post-graduation in gynaecology at GMC, was found unconscious by her husband in their rented apartment. The deceased doctor, who was pregnant at the time of death, had blamed the toxic work culture in her suicide note. She had mentioned that despite all her efforts, her thesis was never completed and expressed her inability to deal with "people's lack of ethics and toxicity".

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

Her death has opened the gates of condemnation from the medical fraternity from all corners of the country, and the Junior Doctors in Bhopal began a strike in response to the incident. Amid the indefinite strike initiated by the junior doctors, who were demanding justice for the late doctor, the HOD of the gynaecology department of Gandhi Medical College, (GMC) Bhopal was removed from her position by the college authorities after allegations came to light that she allegedly harassed the deceased PG student, leading to her suicide.

Now, the former GMC HoD Gynaecology, Dr. Kumar has been appointed as the DME, and this has resulted in a major controversy. As per the latest media report by Free Press Journal, Progressive Medical Teachers' Association, Madhya Pradesh, Junior Doctors Association, MP held a strong protest in the entire state. Medical teachers and junior doctors from medical colleges across the State gave a memorandum in this regard to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Principal Secretary, and expressed their protest to their respective deans.

The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) has also written to the MP Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Rajendra Shukla and expressed the grave concerns and disappointment regarding the appointment of Dr. Kumar as the Director of Medical Education (DME), Madhya Pradesh.

In the letter, FORDA mentioned that the said appointment has triggered widespread apprehension within the medical fraternity and academic circles due to the serious controversies surrounding Dr. Kumar's previous tenure. 

"Her earlier administrative role was marred by multiple disturbances, allegations of partiality, and lapses in governance, which disrupted institutional functioning and adversely affected the morale and academic progress of medical students across the state," FORDA mentioned in the letter.

"What intensifies our concern is a tragic incident involving the suicide of a female junior doctor, reportedly linked to alleged mental harassment during Dr. Kumar's prior tenure. Her name was prominently mentioned in connection with this deeply distressing case, raising serious ethical and administrative concerns about her leadership. Such an appointment at the apex of medical education administration in Madhya Pradesh raises crucial questions about the values of transparency, accountability, and student welfare-principles that must form the bedrock of any medical education system," it further added.

FORDA has urged the Deputy CM to intervene and reconsider the appointment in the larger interest of protecting the sanctity of medical education in the State. 

"The post of DME demands an individual of unquestionable integrity, unbiased vision, and an unwavering commitment to the academic and emotional well-being of both students and faculty. We remain hopeful that under your able leadership, due consideration will be given to this matter of public importance and academic significance," FORDA's letter added.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues regarding the matter, the Secretary of FORDA, Dr. Meet Ghonia, said, "We received multiple representations from RDAS of MP regarding this appointment. Doctors of MP, including Senior Doctors, Resident Doctors & Medical Teachers, have already doing a protest for the last 3 days against this appointment. They aren't protesting against a person, but they are protesting against a toxic work culture."

"We are hopeful that Govt. of MP will hear the doctors of their state. We stand with RDAs of MP and if they won't be heard by State Government, then the intensity of their protest will be increased. We are standing strongly with them," he added.

Also Read: 3rd year MD Gynaecology medico of Gandhi Medical college takes anesthesia overdose, commits suicide