Toxic Work Culture Allegations: JJ Hospital's HOD of Dermatology transferred, resident doctors end strike

Mumbai: The prolonged period of protest by resident doctors at the Sir Grant Government Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals that lasted for weeks and hours ultimately came to an end after the Head of the Department (HoD) of Dermatology was transferred from the JJ Hospital to Government Medical College (GMC) Aurangabad on Thursday.

The government's declaration was released shortly after 900 resident doctors began their strike on December 28 in protest against the HoD of Dermatology over allegations of the alleged 'dictatorship' and toxic work culture. 

The Maharashtra government issued an order for the transfer of the head of the dermatology department to Aurangabad Government Medical College, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar as a professor of dermatology and endocrinology. 

Also read- Toxic Work Culture Allegations At JJ Hospital: Nearly 900 Resident Doctors Go On Indefinite Strike From Today

According to The Indian Express, the doctor was transferred based on administrative reasons. As a result, he was relieved from his charges at the JJ hospital as the HoD of dermatology. 

Medical Dialogues team recently reported that nearly 900 resident doctors went on an indefinite strike in support of the protesting 21 resident doctors at the Sir Grant Government Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals who have been on mass leave for the past eleven days demanding the removal of the Head of the Department (HoD) of Dermatology, 

The resident doctors belonging to all three batches of JJ Hospital Dermatology Department were on mass leave from Monday i.e. December 18, 2023. It was 20 days since the complaint was filed and 11 days since the mass leave began.

However, the struggles of the protesting resident doctors finally came to an end as the doctors called off their indefinite strike within hours on Thursday after the state government announced the removal of the HoD of Dermatology. 

JJ Hospital dean, Dr Pallavi Saple informed FPJ "We have received the transfer order of Dr *** from higher officials and the move has been communicated to MARD representatives."

Satisfied with the government order, the J J chapter of the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) which initiated an indefinite strike on Thursday issued a press note thanking the government, administration and the media for prioritizing their struggles and the mental health of the resident doctors.

In light of this progress, the association called off their strike and has declared that the doctors will expeditiously resume their duties.

"We would like to inform you that we are calling off the strike and we are thankful to the government, administration and the media that they have prioritized the mental health of the resident doctors, took their concerns seriously and made this decision. All resident doctors will be joining their duties with immediate effect," reads the press note. 

Further, MARD in another press note said "We thank Hon Minister of Medical Education Hasan Mushrif Sir for a speedy and just decision. We would also like to thank Secretary MEDD Shri Dinesh Waghmare Sir, Commissioner Shri Rajiv Nivatkar Sir, MUHS VC Lt Gen. Dr Madhuri Kanitkar Madam, DMER Director Shri Maisekar sir, Hon Dean GGMC Mumbai Dr Pallavi Saple madam, Superintendent JJH Dr Surase sir for their support against the toxic HOD.

We want to extend our gratitude to all media personnel for covering the issue at the state and national levels. We would also like to thank the State Nursing Organization for supporting the cause. We would also like to thank all National Organizations like FAIMA, FORDA and UDFA for standing hand in hand with the resident Doctors of Dermatology."

Apart from this, the association also clarified that the resident doctors of JJ Hospital would go on an indefinite strike if at any point in time in the future, the Dermatology Head Dr *** returns to the hospital. 

Talking to Mid-Day regarding the issue, a resident doctor said, “We are relieved he has left JJ but now he will be somewhere else, likely still in a position of power. He will still be in the system and that is unfortunate. We hope there is behavioural change in him wherever he is."

Earlier this month, on December 09, 2023, the residents wrote to the Dean of the Institute highlighting the issues faced by the resident doctors in the Department of Dermatology.

"Multiple complaints ranging from extreme mental torture leading to hampered mental health, threats of failing residents, dictatorship, persistent unilateral treatment decisions compromising patient care, Lack of conducive atmosphere for studies, unprofessional attitude and remarks regarding cosmetic dermatology, constant and cheap remarks regarding the stipend of resident doctors have been raised from the department," the doctors had earlier mentioned in the letter.

They had alleged that the HoD "takes great pride in the practice of insults and violation of the dignity of his own resident doctors". Further, they also mentioned that the alleged professor had a habit of finding loopholes in everything the residents did. Issues like treatment authorization and cosmetic dermatology procedures were also addressed and the doctors alleged that HOD repeatedly questioned the credibility of the MBBS degree of the residents, affecting their morale.

The strike was declared after the talks with the state medical education department failed. The Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) previously assured the resident doctors that a two-member committee would be established to investigate the accusations made against the HOD.

On December 19, the committee presented its findings to the medical education commissioner, leading to Dr *** being placed on a mandatory 15-day leave. However, the association asserted that the committee's efforts have not yielded any concrete outcomes.

On December 26, the protesting resident doctors of Mumbai’s JJ Hospital’s Dermatology Department met Maharashtra’s Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif at the Mantralaya to highlight their demands. The minister assured them that he would undertake the required measures.

Also read- Toxic Work Culture Allegations Rocks JJ Hospital: Resident Doctors Seek Removal Of HOD Dermatology, Threaten Indefinite Strike