Sassoon Hospital Associate Professor to face departmental action for private practice

Pune: An Associate Professor from the Department of Psychiatry at B.J. Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital, who is also a government employee, has been accused of engaging in private practice at multiple locations while holding his academic position. Additionally, the doctor charged approximately Rs 2,000 per consultation at these private healthcare facilities.

As a result, the doctor is now under scrutiny and is expected to face departmental action soon after the Commissioner of the Department of Medical Education has recommended proceedings against him to the Maharashtra government based on a committee's report.

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A three-member internal inquiry committee investigating the matter found that the doctor was actively engaged in private medical practice at multiple locations, while also receiving benefits from the facilities and payroll of the state-run medical college and hospital.

The case came to light after lawyer and RTI activist Rishabh Talera filed a complaint on November 12, 2024, alleging that the doctor was charging Rs 2,000 per visit for private consultations despite being a full-time government employee. The complaint also included evidence of his involvement in multiple private clinics, including a clinic in Pimpri-Chinchwad, a private hospital, and several other establishments, Bridge Chronicle reports.

In response to the complaint, Dr. Eknath Pawar, Dean of B.J. Medical College immediately took action and formed a three-member internal inquiry committee on November 18, 2024. The committee comprised Dr Sanjeevani Ambekar (Chairperson) (Head of the Ophthalmology Department), Dr Rahul Telang (Head of the ENT Department) and Dr Padmasen Ranbagale (Associate Professor, Surgery Department).

To verify the allegations, the committee met with the complainant on December 18, 2024, and also questioned the accused doctor. During the investigation, the complainant provided relevant evidence and recorded his statements. After reviewing all the findings, the committee submitted its report to Dr. Pawar, who then forwarded it to the Commissioner of Medical Education. The report recommends disciplinary action, with a final decision to be made at the departmental level.

Speaking to Bridge Chronicle, Dr. Eknath Pawar said, "An inquiry was conducted, and the report has been submitted to the Commissioner of Medical Education. The next steps will be decided at that level."

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