PGI resident doctor harassment case: Hepatology Associate professor tenders apology

Chandigarh: Following the suicide attempt of a first-year DM hepatology resident doctor at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) Chandigarh, the associate professor accused of harassment was found guilty by the investigation committee. The doctor submitted an apology letter and returned to the institute as a full-time employee. 

Expressing regret over the heartbreaking attempt of the resident doctor to end his life, the professor apologised to the doctor and his parents for harassing and pushing him to the edge which prompted him to take the extreme step. 

The letter was submitted to the institute director, Dr Lal after the investigation committee submitted the report on July 21 and found the doctor guilty of the accusations. Following this, the professor tendered a written apology and was accepted to return to work and continue with his duties at the institute, TOI reports.

Also read- DM Hepatology Resident At PGI Chandigarh Attempts Suicide, Accuses Associate Professor Of Harassment

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported about the incident where a first-year resident doctor attempted suicide after allegedly being harassed by an Associate Professor in the Department of Hepatology.

Accusing the professor of 'destroying his life', the doctor before attempting suicide made a confession letter in which he wrote down the harassment he had faced at the institute which took away his will to live.

Taking note of this serious issue, a committee was constituted by the director to inquire into the matter and was asked to submit the report in a few days. 

After analysing the report, the director ruled that no student under the professor would be allowed to do an MD or DM thesis. Furthermore, it came to light that the professor will be debarred from all academic activities in the institute although it is not confirmed yet.

However, the medical fraternity has expressed displeasure with the director's decision to accept the professor's written apology and take him back to the institute. They strongly opposed the decision and demanded resignation as well as police intervention in the case. 

Angered over the result, Dr Dhruv Chauhan, the national zonal co-ordinator of the Indian Medical Association Medical Students Network (IMA MSN), tweeted, “A doctor in a top institution like PGI Chandigarh attempted suicide due to the toxicity of his professor, The entire medical fraternity outraged and demanded resignation and FIR against the professor. The professor had good links with top fellows in the medical profession so he escaped. No action was taken, no FIR was lodged, nothing happened.”

While the professor has been accused of using his connection with the top medical professionals to get away from the consequences of harassing a student, the medical fraternity has pointed out that the institute has records of several other harassment cases which are being covered under a blanket. 

Calling the incident distressing, Dr Naveen M, president of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), PGI who was ordered to lead an internal committee to enquire about the matter said,  “The primary reason was the continuous workplace harassment inflicted upon him by a hepatology consultant during ward rounds in front of patients. The consultant made personal remarks and humiliated the resident."

Shedding light on the present situation of the institute, the ARD released a statement on July 21 stating, “This is not an isolated incident. There have been multiple undocumented cases of harassment directed towards residents by the same consultant, resulting in two residents abandoning their DM degrees midway and leaving the institute. This situation is both alarming and unacceptable.” 

“We urgently request the formation of a comprehensive and impartial collegium to address these incidents promptly. We call for the implementation of a robust system to report such malpractices to the director," it further added.

In response to the request, the director has ordered the creation of a student representative in every department as a part of its collegium to take note of any future incidents. This is the first time that the institute has involved resident doctors to be part of an internal committee. 

"It is a great step forward to include student representatives in decision-making processes as it relates to the well-being of resident doctors," said the director in a press conference on Tuesday at Kairon Block.

While clarifying the reasons behind accepting the apology of the professor, the Director informed HT, “Immediately after the incident, the faculty concerned expressed regret overstepping and tendered a written apology to the student and his parents. PGIMER runs on two pillars, faculty and residents. They are important for the smooth running of the institute. So, the intent was not to punish, but to smother the fire, mitigate the stress, send the right message and build a bond between the faculty and residents.”

“Even out of this sad incident, a good has come out as the existing wall between the faculty and residents has been dismantled, which reiterates that we are moving in the right direction,” he added.