Maharashtra Medical Council issues notice to BMC Hospital Superintendent over uproar

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) has issued a notice to the Medical Superintendent of the BMC-run VN Desai Hospital in Santacruz, seeking an explanation following a complaint related to the death of a woman four days after childbirth, which led to a protest by her family at the hospital.

The incident occured last November when the situation escalated during a heated exchange, with the doctor allegedly snatching and smashing a mobile phone belonging to one of the family members who was recording the confrontation.

While the video does not show the phone being damaged, the complaint alleges that the device was indeed smashed, provoking further outrage from the assembled crowd. According to TOI, "This act outraged the mob and could have marked the beginning of the violence towards other staff," the complaint stated. "The mob could have vandalised the hospital further."

Also Read: Mob of 30 attacks Woman doctor, Nurses after patient, newborn death

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that amidst rising violence against healthcare workers across the country, a troubling incident occurred at V N Desai Hospital in Santacruz East, where 27 assailants allegedly assaulted a female doctor and several nurses following the death of a mother and a newborn at the facility.

Following the incident, police registered a case against 27 individuals from the crowd for allegedly assaulting hospital personnel. However, the complainant insisted that the blame does not lie solely with the protestors.

A video of the confrontation showed verbal exchanges between hospital staff and the grieving family members. However, according to a doctor from the hospital, the situation escalated after the phone was broken, with the mob becoming more violent and assaulting the Medical Superintendent along with two ward attendants.

The doctor also mentioned that the Medical Superintendent was expected to defuse the situation. While bringing a mob was wrong on the part of the relatives, the superintendent breaking their phone also escalated the tension and made matters worse.

Also Read: FIR against 5 policemen after clash with Govt doctor in MP

According to TOI, "If Dr Acharya had any objection, he should have asked the relative to stop recording. He could have told the guards to confiscate the phone or should have informed police," the complaint stated. Dr Acharya confirmed that the council has sought an explanation. "MMC has asked me for an explanation for the action, and I will be responding to it," he said.