JJ Hospital Ophthalmology dept controversy: Doctors give mass resignation, Dean moves to verify documents

Mumbai: The controversy on the academic irregularities at the Ophthalmology Department of the JJ hospital has escalated. Recently, after receiving mass resignations from the honorary teachers of the Ophthalmology department, the Dean of the hospital has moved to verify whether the digital signatures were put in their resignations with their permission.

Meanwhile, upset over the unresolved issue, the resident doctors of JJ Hospital, Mumbai are continuing their indefinite strike. In the Department of Ophthalmology, resident doctors have been dealing with several major issues, including a lack of surgical hands-on experience, minimal academic and research activities.

Writing to State Minister of Medical Education, Shri Girish Mahajan, the Maharashtra State Association of Resident Doctors has demanded that the resignation of Dr TP Lahane and Dr Ragini Parekh has to be accepted immediately and the authorities will have to recruit new faculties for the posts of Professor or HOD.

Apart from this, the association has also called for immediate recruitment of Permanent faculty for Associate and Assistant Professors posts in the existing vacancies across the State. Further, the doctors have demanded immediate release of pending Arrears of JR2 and JR3 across the entire State.

Meanwhile, the Dean of JJ Hospital Dr Pallavi Saple has called all the honorary teachers of the Ophthalmology department, who allegedly submitted their resignations, to verify whether the digital signatures were put in their resignations with their permission.

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

Commenting on this, Dr Saple told Free Press Journal, “We received the resignation with digital signature done by nine doctors through mail on Thursday morning, of which seven resignation letters did not have a date due to which we called them to the office to verify if the digital signature was put in with their permission. However, the doctors have informed hospital authorities that they will come on Friday.”

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 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.

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

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.

The demands of the resident doctors of JJ Hospital include- the 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.

While commenting on the matter, the President of Central MARD, Dr. Abhijit Rajesh Helge told Medical Dialogues, "This issue has been going on for the last 20 to 25 years. On several occasions, the resident doctors have tried to raise their voices against it. Back in 2016 also, the residents protested against the matter. However, they had been silenced at that time."

"These senior doctors are only concerned about their own records, about conducting the highest number of cataract surgeries, at the cost of medical education of the residents. When students come to government medical colleges, they are expected to graduate with a thorough knowledge of the subject with adequate exposure to clinical training. So, by depriving the resident doctors of such opportunities, they are actually violating the rights of the resident doctors."

When asked about the strike, Dr. Helge added, "The senior doctors have submitted their resignation. Now we want the authorities to approve the same and immediately recruit faculties for the vacant posts. Then we will withdraw the strike. The issue of pending stipend for the Junior Residents also needs to be addressed by the authorities on an immediate basis."

Commenting on the matter, Deputy Chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council Moreover, Neelam Gorhe told FPJ that the State should intervene and resolve the matter immediately as it will affect patient services. Further, she asked for setting up a panel of IAS officers to probe the allegations.

Central MARD wrote to Shri Girish Mahajan today and pointed out that "Residents have reported that they have been Professionally, academically and mentally harassed since their joining of the course. The plight of the resident doctors is reaching a critical stage and they are facing a mental breakdown."

Writing to the Union Health Minister, the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) has also raised the matter. "The Department of Ophthalmology at Sir JJ Hospital should be a beacon of excellence, adhering to the guidelines set by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and fostering an environment that promotes learning, collaboration, surgical exposure, and the highest standard of patient care. It is essential that urgent steps are taken to rectify the situation, restore the residents' faith in the system, and ensure their academic progress."

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