Kerala: Doctor couple under scrutiny for alleged duty swap

Malappuram: A doctor couple is facing serious allegations after the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) found that a female doctor posted at a government hospital, was allegedly swapping duties with her husband, a private doctor and treating patients without permission.

The incident took place at Government Taluk Hospital, Tirurangadi, where the husband doctor was allegedly treating patients in place of his wife. Following this, the VCB has directed the Health Department to initiate appropriate action against the doctor couple.

Also read- FIR against 2 doctors for forging documents to frame colleague as Quack

According to VACB officials, the doctor, who runs a private clinic, was seen attending to patients at the Government Taluk Hospital in Tirurangadi in place of his wife, Dr. Sahita, who is posted there. He allegedly took her place several times without any official approval.

According to a latest media report by The Hindu, the matter came to light after the High Court lawyer Kulathur Jaising filed a complaint with the Vigilance Bureau. Following this, the agency carried out an investigation and confirmed the complaint was true. Now, they have asked the Health Department to take proper action against the doctor couple.

A doctor who is not employed at a government hospital but is treating patients there without permission is a serious violation of government rules.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that a female doctor posted at the Emergency Medical Department at Tirurangadi Taluk Hospital has been accused of swapping her duties with her husband, who is also a doctor, while she was breastfeeding her newborn at the hospital. The husband is reported to have taken over the emergency duties, including consultation and medical examinations, in her absence.

The couple's unconventional duty adjustment sparked a heated controversy, with a youth organisation- the Muslim Youth League activists demanding an investigation into the matter. They filed a complaint with Health Minister Veena George and the District Medical Officer (DMO).

Also read- Controversy erupts after doctor allegedly swaps duties with husband at Govt hospital