Amid the ongoing protests, the accused Head of Department has been placed on compulsory leave and temporarily removed from her position. In response, Dr Ajay Bhandarwar, Dean of JJ Hospital, has appointed Dr Chhaya Valvi, currently a professor in the same department, as the new Head of the Paediatrics Department. Dr Valvi will take over the responsibilities from the outgoing HoD.
Though the HOD has temporarily been relieved of her duties during the inquiry by the hospital and state-level authorities, no criminal charges have been filed against her.
The protesting doctors are demanding the department head to be transferred and arrested for allegedly driving the 3rd year paediatrics medico to attempt suicide by consuming Lorazepam tablets due to her alleged prolonged harassment and toxicity.
Also read- JJ Hospital Paediatrics Medico suicide attempt: Doctors move Maha CM, demand inquiry
The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), in solidarity with the protesting doctors, have warned of a hospital-wide stir if the department head is not transferred. Dr Mahesh Tidke, President of MARD at Grant Government Medical College and JJ Group of Hospitals, told Free Press Journal, "We are waiting for the outcome of the DMER probe. However, we have decided to continue our protest until the HOD is transferred."
Medical dialogues had reported that the 3rd year paediatrics medico attempted suicide due to an alleged toxic work culture. The doctor reportedly tried to end her life by consuming Lorazepam tablets. After she was found, the doctor was immediately rushed to the casualty department and was eventually stabilised in the MICU. It was alleged that the doctor was facing harassment and discrimination from the head of the department, who is also her PG guide and local guardian.
In a release, the students at the department informed that due to trivial reasons, the doctor was targeted and belittled on numerous occasions, especially in front of the patient relatives from the beginning of her residency. This torture soon became unbearable for her. She tried to seek professional psychiatric help. On numerous occasions, she felt anxious and helpless and felt that there was no way out, the students at the department claimed. The situation worsened over the past three months when the resident doctor was allegedly threatened that she would not be allowed to even appear for her MD exams.
Following this, the resident doctors of the paediatric department of Sir Grant Government Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals initiated an indefinite strike.
Demanding fair probe and criminal action against the HOD, the United Doctors Front (UDF) association moved the Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis. The UDF in a strongly worded letter dated July 21, highlighted that the resident doctor, who is currently in the ICU, was reportedly subjected to continuous mental harassment, including threats of academic failure, over minor issues like paperwork and leave.
Despite repeated concerns raised by fellow doctors and MARD (Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors), the faculty allegedly failed to take responsibility, instead blaming the victim, said the association. The UDF said that the HOD's temporary suspension is not enough and demanded her permanent removal and criminal proceedings.
Meanwhile, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has also come out in full support of the resident doctors of JJ Hospital. In a separate letter dated July 19, FAIMA termed the incident “deeply distressing” and called for urgent intervention from the government.
It has been reported that a day before attempting suicide, the resident doctor had sent a heartfelt 300-word WhatsApp message to the HoD, expressing how the continuous cold treatment had taken a serious toll on her mental health. She mentioned being away from her family while her mother was battling cancer and shared that she had been diagnosed with anxiety after visiting the psychiatry OPD.
"I am here away from home with no close family, with my mother fighting cancer at home... The cold behaviour you have always shown me has broken me from inside. I have been going to psych OPD and was diagnosed with anxiety. This is my last cry for help to you. Please show some kindness. I am having nightmares and palpitations, and I can't focus on my studies. I can't endure residency anymore."
Despite the emotional nature of the message, she chose not to respond via text, saying she intended to address the matter in person. She said that the resident received three memos from others and her performance was falling short.
However, a senior doctor countered, "Memos are routine. In this case, the three or four memos were over three years and quite minor. The same resident has some wonderful feedback from patients, which are in writing."
A senior professor at JJ Hospital told TOI, "None of the other professors were alerted about the message, which should have happened immediately."
Commenting on this, a third-year resident said, "There was a pattern. Certain students in each batch would face extremely odd behaviour. Personal choices like colouring hair or having a child were criticised."
Another resident alleged, "When patients' relatives complained, the HoD instigated them to be violent against us. It hasn't escalated yet, but when professors leave, we're alone and it could turn hostile."
Meanwhile, the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) conducted an inquiry into the suicide attempt incident on Monday. However, Resident doctors from the department have demanded that the enquiry report be made available soon.
Also read- Grant Medical College Paediatrics Medico Attempts Suicide due to alleged Toxic Work Culture, Resident Doctors on Strike
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