JJ Hospital Resident Doctors allege academic irregularities at Ophthalmology Dept, begin Strike demanding transfer of Faculties

Mumbai: Controversy erupted at the State-run JJ Hospital campus in Byculla over the protest of around 750 resident doctors 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 Dr. TP Lahane and Dr. Ragini Parekh.

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.

Taking cognisance of the matter, a three-member inquiry committee on Monday found merit in the complaint and following this, the members of the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) at the hospital called for a strike.

This comes after, the resident doctors of 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.  It was further alleged by the resident doctors that most surgeries were done by either the HoD Dr. Ragini Parekh, or former dean Dr. T P Lahane.

“We have four demands: transfer the HoD, remove Dr Lahane, pay stipend to some JJ junior residents who haven’t got it, and pay arrears to some of the senior residents,” JJ MARD president Dr Shubham Soni told TOI.

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Meanwhile, the senior teachers sent out their copies of resignations on social media. However, the Dean of the JJ Hospital and medical college issued a press release and confirmed that she had not received any resignation.

While commenting on the matter, Dr. Saple informed the Times of India that she only received a 15-day leave application from Dr. Parekh. “I had media enquiries about nine resignations, but when I checked the inward mail at the end of the day, there was only Dr Parekh’s application,” Dr. Saple said, adding that she was working on the issue of stipend, but the remaining issues would be taken up at the secretary-level.

Referring to the allegations, Dr. Parekh added, “It has been humiliating to hear these lies. We have had students who falsify blood reports of patients or don’t follow the rules. If we correct them, they claim we are insulting them. These charges are completely false.”

“How can junior residents who are barely six months into the programme demand to do a cataract operation? Many of the complaints mentioned in the letters are false,” said Dr. Lahane, who retired from the post of director of medical education a few years ago.

Dr. Lahane was given an extension by the State for leading an anti-blindness mission. As a part of it, he works at JJ Hospital and also travels across the State to hold cataract surgery camps.

 “I have worked without salary or holidays since I retired, and yet lies are being spread about me. Hence, I decided to give my resignation,” he mentioned, adding that seven other doctors who worked as honorary consultants or on contract basis have also resigned from their posts. Currently, only a new lecturer and a senior resident serving a bond are working in the department.

Meanwhile, the Central MARD has raised the issue to the State Government authorities as well. Writing to the Minister of Medical Education, Shri Girish Mahajan, the doctors referred to the "gross injustice, difficulties and unacademic environment that is rampant in the department of Ophthalmology in the apex health institute of the State, JJ Hospital Mumbai."

"The resident doctors of department of Ophthalmology JJH, have raised their concerns and complaints against the dictatorial regime of Dr. TP Lahane and Dr. Ragini Parekh," mentioned the letter.

"The primary demand of the resident doctors is immediate transfer of Dr. TP Lahane and Dr. Ragini Parekh, the residents also demand that the department should run as per the NMC guidelines which at present is not happening. Although the administration of JJH has taken the complaint seriously and has come to the aid of the affected resident's distress by setting up a quick inquiry it was felt by MARD that this issue needs to be escalated to the highest authority of State in Medical education so as to ensure fast tracking of this sensitive issue and prompt action," the letter added.

The Maharashtra Chapter of Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors Network (IMA-JDN) has also come in support of the protesting residents at JJ Medical College. 

Issuing a Press Release in this regard, the association mentioned, "IMA JDN Maharashtra stands firmly with Postgraduate residents of Sir JJ Hospital, Mumbai for issues of academic irregularities and difficulties faced by residents in Dept of Ophthalmology of GGMC and Sir JJ Hospital Mumbai."

"We all believe that all departments should be run by NMC guidelines and not by the dictatorship of any person. The tragedy of resident doctors of the Ophthalmology dept of JJH is literally miserable which has a huge impact on their academics too," the release added.

The demands of the resident doctors of JJ Hospital include- earliest recruitment of new faculties at the necessary posts and establishment of unit system as per NMC guidelines in the department of Ophthalmology, immediate release of pending stipend of junior residents for the month of November, December and January, and immediate release of of the pending arrears of Junior residents.

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