BFUHS Vice Chancellor faces humiliation during Punjab Health Minister visit, IMA sees red demands unconditional apology

The minister allegedly asked VC, Dr Raj Bahadur to lie on a dirty mattress and also misspoken with him. Condemning the act, IMA Punjab stated, " It is not only humiliation for the respected Vice Chancellor Dr Raj Bahadur, but entire Medical Fraternity across India has been insulted." Bahadur, a specialist in spinal surgery and joint replacement, is a former director-principal of Government Medical College and Hospital in Chandigarh and has also been the head of the orthopaedic department at PGIMER, Chandigarh. The minister, meanwhile, drew flak from various quarters, including the Indian Medical Association.

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The incident happened on Friday when Jouramajra was on an inspection of Faridkot's Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, which comes under the BFUHS. A video clip of the incident that circulated on social media, showed Jouramajra placing a hand on the veteran surgeon's shoulder as he pointed towards the "damaged and dirty condition" of the mattress inside the hospital's skin department, reports PTI.

The minister is then seen to be allegedly forcing Dr Bahadur to lie down on the same mattress. Bahadur in the video is seen explaining to the minister that he was not responsible for the facilities, to which he retorted "everything is in your hands." After the incident, Bahadur reportedly told Bhagwant Mann that kind of atmosphere was not conducive to his work and requested him to relieve him of his duties.

Bahadur, 71, who has an experience of over four decades and has worked at various reputed health institutions too, told PTI over the phone on Saturday that he felt humiliated after the minister's behaviour toward him. Asked if he had resigned as the Vice Chancellor, Bahadur said, "I have expressed my anguish to the Chief Minister and said I felt humiliated." Sources said that the CM has taken a strong view of the incident and spoken to Jouramajra. " When you work so hard and put in your best efforts, one does feel low when you have to face this kind of behaviour," Bahadur said about Friday's incident.

Coming up in support of Dr Bahadur, IMA stated, " The shocking incident wherein Respected Hon Vice Chancellor Dr Raj Bahadur was made to lie on bed sheet was absolutely uncalled for. Hon Vice Chancellor Or Raj Bahadur, a learned academician and well-respected Doctor, has done great work for the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences. He has been instrumental in uplifting the status of the University at a very high level."

" The dignity of Doctor and work done by such senior person must be respected. IMA Demands an immediate unconditional apology and resignation from the Health Minister of Punjab for his misbehaviour. IMA appeals to the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Punjab to immediately intervene and take necessary action against the Minister immediately", IMA further added.

Doctors' Association Jammu (DAJ) also expressed displeasure over the insulting behaviour of the Health Minister of Punjab with the VC of Baba Farid University of Medical Sciences. Dr Balvinder Singh, President in his address said that "DAJ " is deeply saddened to hear about the incident that occurred in Baba Farid University of Medical Sciences where the Health Minister of Punjab humiliated Dr Raj Bahadur, VC, for the minor discrepancies regarding cleanliness in the hospital.

"This is an attempt to disgrace a man of high repute who has been serving the patients throughout his life and now is preparing a team of experts in the medical field. This is intolerable that a minister possesses the right to treat a medical professional and that too the likes of VC are worth condemning. Dr Raj Bahadur is one of the best spine surgeons in India. He taught many young orthopaedics the new techniques of spine surgery", added the doctor. Dr Manjit Singh, General Secretary, agreeing to Dr Balvinder Singh's views, demanded strict action against the minister so that such an action should not be repeated.

PCMS Association, a doctors' body in Punjab, too in a statement, strongly condemned the "unceremonious treatment" meted out to Dr Bahadur. PCMSA said the way the VC was treated was "deplorable", its reason notwithstanding. The body expressed its "deep resentment" over the incident and said, "public shaming of a senior doctor on systemic issues is strongly condemnable."

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