Dr MK Shah Medical College orthopaedics resident doctors allege mental, physical harassment by Assistant Professor
Ahmedabad: Resident doctors of the Department of Orthopaedics at Dr M K Shah Medical College and Research Centre, Ahmedabad, have made serious allegations of physical and mental harassment against an Assistant Professor.
Filing an online complaint against the concerned professor to the National Medical Commission's Anti-ragging Cell, the residents claimed that they were being subjected to severe mental and physical abuse, along with constant mental harassment and threats for years. The doctors further alleged that the mental harassment became so severe that some of them developed depression and even had suicidal thoughts.
Taking cognisance of the matter, the NMC issued a notice to the college, and the college authorities constituted a three-member committee to investigate the allegations. The accused professor has been temporarily sent on leave while an inquiry is being conducted.
In protest against the alleged toxicity, a group of 10 PG medical students, resident doctors in the orthopaedics department, boycotted duty on January 26 without informing the college authorities.
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According to the TOI report, 12 students are currently pursuing a PG course in orthopaedics at the college. Of the total, 10 submitted a complaint against an assistant professor alleging mental harassment.
In a letter to the NMC Anti-ragging cell and Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA), New Delhi, the resident doctors claimed that his behaviour includes verbal abuse in front of patients and relatives as well as physical abuse in front of senior and junior residents, inside wards and even in the operation theatre.
The residents alleged that they are denied basic necessities such as food, rest, personal hygiene and even toilet breaks, and are forced to work continuously for long hours, including holidays and non-emergency days, without adequate rest, which they say compromises patient care.
They further alleged that he threatens them with suspension, rustication, exam failure and rejection of thesis without a valid reason, restricts their academic time, and bans them from the operation theatre arbitrarily.
According to the complaint, the accused professor also reportedly makes inappropriate comments about their personal lives, uses abusive language against their parents and families and publicly shames junior residents.
The residents also claimed that they are pressured to manipulate patient documents for his benefit, prescribe certain brands of medicines, arrange medicines and implants that are not available in the hospital, and are punished for issues such as PMJAY approvals that are beyond their control. They further alleged that they are forced to attend video and phone calls at odd hours, even on Sundays and holidays, forcing them to stay in the ward even on holidays and to make arrangements related to his personal habits, such as smoking and drinking.
The complaint also quoted alleged statements made by him, including threats such as “I will make you cry every day,” “I will thrash you in front of patients,” "Don’t even breathe until I permit you," "I have full authority to resticate you, no one can ask me questions," You can complaint to who ever you want,I don't care since I have my own private hospital," "I will fail all of you in exams and u won't pass without my permission."
The residents stated that the continuous threats and hostile environment have taken a serious toll on their mental and physical health, leading to depression, health issues, and even suicidal thoughts among some of them.
They said they were afraid to complain earlier due to fear of career damage. However, they have now requested the NMC Anti-Ragging Cell to take immediate and strict action against the professor to ensure their safety, dignity and protection of their academic future.
"To become an orthopaedic surgeon was once our dream, which has been completely shattered due to the professor. If above all situation carry on and gets continued then we would be left with the last option of ending our life due to depression and continuous mental trauma. I kindly request to take immediate strictest action since the threats and harassment are directly impacting our safety, mental health and academic future," read the letter.
After receiving the complaint, FORDA wrote to the college authorities and marked copies to the NMC, NHRC and UGC, seeking strict action in the matter. In a post on ‘X’, the association said, “FORDA stands firmly for a harassment-free campus,” and also thanked the NMC for taking action.
Dr Dhruv Chauhan, National Spokesperson of IMA-JDN, stated in a post on ‘X’ that the entire Orthopaedics Department and the HOD should be questioned, adding that this was not the first such incident.
Meanwhile, TOI sources within the college presented a different version of events, in which the students were found absent during the ward rounds by him. He reported it to the head of the department.
A source said, "The committee recorded statements from nurses, patients, and other staff members. The students were asked to record their statements for the inquiry."
