Odisha Paediatrician attends to patients in inebriated state, video goes viral

Udala: In a shocking incident, a paediatrician working at a government hospital in Udala was allegedly found treating OPD patients in an intoxicated state. The video showing the incident went viral on social media. 

According to reports, this is not the first time the doctor has served medical treatment to patients in an inebriated state at the hospital. Several patients and locals have reported the incident to the higher-ups, but no action was taken against the doctor. 

The shocking incident came to light after a person decided to record the video of the doctor being drunk while administering an injection to a patient and posted it on social media. The doctor is a paediatrician who has been consuming alcohol on duty for months. 

Also read- Uttarakhand: Govt Doctor Attended Minor Patient In Inebriated State, Probe Ordered

Although the Udala Sub-Divisional Medical Health Officer, Kamalakant Nayak, was aware of the doctor's alcohol consumption in the hospital during duty hours, no strict action was taken by him. 

Speaking to OTV, Nayak said, “I have known this for some time. I even warned him in the past to not consume alcohol while on duty. I have given him a warning letter this time too. If he does not mend his ways then we will transfer him to another hospital.”

The viral video showed that the doctor was facing difficulty to administer an injection to patients since he was in an inebriated state. Observing the doctor's action, the security guard came forward and decided to assist him. The security guard present at the hospital could be seen loading the syringe to inject the patient.

Due to the doctor's negligence, patients who visit the hospital for treatment are getting attended by the security guards instead of the doctor, which has raised concern among the locals. 

Commenting on this, a local said, “The video, which went viral, was during his outdoor duty. People have seen him sharing alcohol with the hospital sweeper staff and attendants. Once, he was so drunk that he fell down from his chair at the outpatient department."

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) specified that intoxication during duty or off duty affecting professional practice will be considered as misconduct resulting in suspension.

As per the Draft Registered Medical Practitioner (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 2022, doctors can now get suspended for a period ranging from 3 months to 3 years if they are found guilty of attending patients while intoxicated.

"Use of Alcohol or other intoxicants during duty or off duty which can affect professional practice will constitute misconduct. (L3, L4)," read Section 23 of the Draft Regulations.

Also read- Drinking On Duty Can Get Doctors Suspended For 3 Years: NMC Draft RMP Ethics Guidelines