Former Dean of JJ Hospital held Guilty of conducting 698 Unauthorised Surgeries
Mumbai: In the latest update on the controversy at the Ophthalmology department of JJ Hospital, a three-member committee set up by the Dean of the hospital has found the former dean and ex-director of the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) Dr TP Lahane guilty of conducting unauthorised surgeries.
After conducting a thorough examination of the CCTV footage and medical records, the panel headed by the medical superintendent of the hospital found that Dr Lahane conducted altogether 698 surgeries without any government orders or authorisation.
The three-member panel was set up last week and it finally submitted its report regarding the controversy at the Ophthalmology department of the hospital on June 12, 2023.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that around 750 resident doctors were protesting against the senior teachers of the Ophthalmology Department. The resident doctors have alleged academic irregularities and difficulties at the Department of Ophthalmology and demanded immediate transfer of the HoD of the Department and also the former Dean associated with it.
Their complaints range from lack of surgical opportunities, lack of academics, lack of research activity and unparliamentary behaviour that the residents allegedly face on a regular basis in the department.
Earlier, the resident doctors of the ophthalmology department wrote to Dean Dr. Pallavi Saple and alleged that NMC rules of setting up surgical units were not followed in the department. As a result of this, allegedly, none of the junior residents assisted in any cataract surgeries. The resident doctors further alleged that most surgeries were done by either the HoD or the former Dean.
After receiving the complaint from the residents, the Dean of the institute set up a committee under the Medical Superintendent Dr. Sanjay Surase to probe the allegations. During the investigation, the committee checked the CCTV footage and medical records.
As per the latest media report by Hindustan Times, it has been revealed in the investigation that former Dean Dr. Lahane had been conducting surgeries in the Ophthalmology department after retiring from the post of DMER director and before assuming the role of coordinator of Preventable Blindness-Free Maharashtra Mission. Allegedly, he conducted around 698 surgeries without any government order or authorisation.
On the basis of the findings, the hospital plans to issue notice to Dr. Ragini Parekh, the HoD Ophthalmology during this period. Dr. Parekh will be asked to explain why she allowed Dr. Lahane to perform surgeries and see patients without any proper authorisation.
Commenting on this, a senior official from the hospital questioned, “Why should action not be taken against her and Dr Lahane for this?”
Previously, the hospital probe had revealed that the son of the former Dean had also been seeing patients and conducting surgeries even though he did not hold any position in the hospital.
HT adds that one of these cases involved a surgery performed on a prisoner, a medico-legal case. Previously, the Dean of the hospital had issued notice to Dr. Parekh and sought to know why she allowed such actions in the absence of any government orders. Further, Dr. Parekh had been questioned why an FIR should not be lodged against her name and in the name of Dr. Sumeet Lahane.
Referring to this, a senior official mentioned, “Since she has not responded, we will send Dr Parekh a reminder notice. If she does not respond, we will seek the higher authorities’ guidance on what should be done.”
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that responding to the protests by residents doctors of the hospital, the State Government accepted the resignation of Dr T P Lahane as the coordinator of Preventable Blindness Free Maharashtra Mission.
Further, the application for voluntary retirement of Dr Ragini Parekh from the post of Professor at the hospital was also accepted by the State. Apart from them, the authorities also accepted the resignation letters of the seven honorarium doctors.
Replacing the previous head of the Ophthalmology Department, as per the new order, Dr. Ravi Chauhan, an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Indira Gandhi Govt Medical College Nagpur has been appointed for the post.
Meanwhile, claiming that the findings of the committee were incorrect, Dr. Lahane told HT, “I was given orders by the chief minister to coordinate the Preventable Blindness-Free Maharashtra Mission and use all the facilities of the medical education and health and family welfare departments along with those of social justice and tribal development.”
“Thus, I was examining and operating patients at JJ Hospital, as it comes under the medical education department,” he added.
He further mentioned that all the monthly reports of the activities were sent to the Dean's office, the office of the Director and the Health Director on a monthly basis. He pointed out, “In the same period, we did eye camps as well, including a camp In Nagpur, which was inaugurated by the deputy chief minister.”
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