Safdarjung Hospital Controversy: FORDA demands independent probe into alleged assault on anaesthesia resident doctor
New Delhi: Following a workplace harassment controversy at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC) and Safdarjung Hospital, where a senior resident doctor from the Anaesthesia Department was allegedly physically assaulted by the Head of the Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS) Department inside the Operation Theatre, the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) has demanded a fair and independent inquiry into the matter.
Medical Dialogues earlier reported that the incident triggered a major protest at the hospital. In response to the alleged assault, senior resident doctors stopped work in the CTVS operation theatres and ICU, demanding the immediate removal of the HOD.
In a letter addressed to the Union Health Minister, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, FORDA has condemned the incident and stated that although a formal complaint was filed and an institutional committee was formed, the administration failed to provide timely and meaningful action.
"A formal complaint was submitted, and an institutional committee was constituted, and certain remedial steps and apologies were reportedly agreed upon between the concerned parties, RDA VMMC- Safdarjung, and the administration. However, the administration has neither ensured meaningful, time-bound redressal nor honoured the agreed terms, severely undermining residents' faith in the grievance-redressal mechanism," added the association.
Due to the absence of effective action and safeguards for doctors' dignity and safety at the workplace, the association pointed out that Anaesthesia resident doctors have withdrawn services from elective OTs and related areas, adversely affecting patient care in this major tertiary-care institution.
"This incident reflects a larger pattern of violence, intimidation and toxic work culture reported from multiple government medical colleges and hospitals, despite repeated representations for stronger protection of healthcare workers," the letter reads.
The association has demanded an independent, time-bound enquiry into the alleged assault by the CTVS HOD, with appropriate disciplinary action if charges are proven, and the administration to honour written resolutions, protect complainants and witnesses, and prevent any punitive or vindictive action against residents who raised their concerns.
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