Toxic Work Culture allegations rocks JJ Hospital: Resident doctors seek Removal of HOD Dermatology, Threaten Indefinite Strike

Mumbai: Alleging toxic work culture at the Dermatology Department of Sir Grant Government Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals, the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has given a call for an indefinite strike from December 21 seeking removal of the HoD Dermatology.

Writing to the Dean of the Institute, the resident doctors have informed that during the strike they will not attend outpatient department or OPD. However, all other services including emergency will be attended by the resident doctors.

Currently, the resident doctors belonging to all three batches of JJ Hospital Dermatology Department are on mass leave from Monday i.e. December 18, 2023. The doctors are protesting against the alleged 'dictatorship' and toxic culture promoted by the department head.

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 mentioned in the letter.

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Urging the authorities to look into the matter, the doctors had expressed their concern that the involved Professor is too much influential and powerful. "...the residents of Dept of Dermatology are so stressed out and worried, we request you to restrict the entry of Dr ** in the JJ campus as the Prof may influence the enquiry and residents may face the wrath of the alleged Professor," they had 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 has a habit of finding loopholes in everything the residents do. Issues like treatment authorization, 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.

"Toxic work environment, constant threats of failing in the final exams, make residents vulnerable in every aspect and it further fuels to Dr*** vision of making this department a concentration camp," they had mentioned in the letter.

Referring to the troubles faced by one of the resident doctors because of the toxic work culture, the letter mentioned, "One of the residents had her academic tenure prolonged recently because of the abusive behaviour meted out to her by Dr *** as she was not able to cope with the ill treatment. She was frequently shouted at, insulted, including frequent instances where she was demeaned in front of the patients. She felt so miserable that she thought the only way to escape this hell was to leave her residency and never come back."

Allegations regarding deliberate insults in the presence of patients and their kin, haphazard and egoistical treatment, egomaniacal and selfish practices in research work, etc were some of the other issues that were highlighted by the doctors.

Therefore, they demanded the removal of Dr. *** from the department of dermatology to ensure a mentally healthy and sound working environment in the department where patient care and academic culture is prioritised.

Again, the issue was raised in a letter dated 15.12.2023. However, in this letter, the residents had also claimed that several patients allegedly died due to outright wring/inadequate treatment.

"The residents have informed to us that Dr. *** has been unscientifically treating patients violating treatment guidelines of medical literature and acceptable treatment standards which has caused multiple avoidable deaths. If the observation of the residents is true then Dr. *** atrocities will not just be confined to Mental health harassment of resident doctors but will also extend till Gross Medicolegal negligence resulting in Multiple patient deaths," MARD mentioned in the letter directed to the Dean on December 15, 2023.

Referring to this allegation, JJ MARD demanded a Death Audit of the patients who allegedly lost their lives under the treatment of the HOD. They also alleged that the concerned doctor has been found to "periodically undermine medical advice prescribed by fellow doctors of other departments on various occasions whenever patients admitted under him needed medical advice from specialities beyond his domain." 

Apart from this, the HOD allegedly threatened the residents regarding his position as a senior faculty and with the possibility of him being the dean of the institute soon.

"This threat is very serious as it further risks the careers of residents of Dept of Dermatology as the toxic, egomaniac professor can damage their careers in unimaginable and unforeseeable ways," MARD mentioned in the letter while it supported the decision of the Dermatology residents to go on a mass leave starting from Monday i.e. December 18, 2023.

Today, the association wrote to the Dean once again and mentioned that even though the Dermatology residents gave their written complaint on 09.12.2023, "a significant insensitivity and delay was seen in the matter from DMER and a State level committee was formed on 15.12.2023."

"Today it’s the day 11 of complaint but no significant development is seen in the issue and the demand is still unmet, residents of dept of Dermatology are on a mass leave and are under immense pressure," it further added.

MARD extended its support to the concerned residents of the Dermatology department and mentioned, "All Resident Doctors of JJH will goi on an indefinite strike starting from 21.12.2023 if HoD Dermatology is not removed from JJH. During the strike residents will not attend OPD, all other services including emergency will be attended by resident doctors."

"We are extremely apologetic for the hampered patient care but all the blame and responsibility for any untoward incident or mismanagement will be on HoD Dermatology," added the association.

As per the latest media report by the Times of India, the investigation committee, led by Dr. Ajay Chandanwale, joint director of the Department of Medical Education and Research (DMER), and Dr. Vinayak Kale, dean of Pune's BJ Medical College, conducted interviews with all the faculty members of the Dermatology department of the institute. Further, the panel also spoke to the resident doctors belonging from all the three years on Friday.

Previously, Dr. Chandanwale mentioned that they are discussing with the faculty members to gain insights into how the cases should have been treated. He mentioned that the inquiry might take a few more days and urged the resident doctors to resume work.

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