Rajkot Civil Hospital Senior Doctor Booked for Allegedly Assaulting Female Junior Doctor
Senior doctor allegedly slapped, abused and threatened a female resident doctor during a dispute over admission of a critically ill patient; Gujarat government transfers him to a primary health centre in Panchmahal
A senior doctor at Rajkot Civil Hospital has been booked for allegedly assaulting, verbally abusing and threatening a female junior resident doctor during a dispute over the admission and treatment of a critically ill patient in the hospital’s emergency ward.
A video showing the senior doctor allegedly slapping the junior doctor while she was recording the altercation has gone viral on social media, triggering widespread outrage among members of the medical community.
Taking serious cognisance of the incident, the Gujarat Health Department has transferred the senior doctor from Rajkot Civil Hospital to a primary health centre in Panchmahal district.
Police detained the doctor on August 21 after registering an FIR based on the complaint filed by the female doctor. Doctors on social media have also demanded immediate arrest and strict action against the accused.
Dispute Over Admission of Critically Ill Patient
The reported incident took place on August 20 in the emergency ward of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Civil Hospital in Rajkot.
The complainant is a first-year resident doctor in the medicine department and was on duty when an elderly patient in critical condition was brought to the emergency ward at around 7:30 pm to 7:45 pm.
According to her complaint, the patient’s condition required urgent attention and ventilator support. She allegedly requested the on-duty senior doctor to admit the patient to the emergency ward.
However, the senior doctor allegedly refused and directed that the patient be shifted to a general ward instead.
When the junior doctor reportedly reiterated the seriousness of the patient’s condition, the senior doctor allegedly lost his temper, verbally abused her and slapped her.
Other hospital staff and security personnel reportedly intervened and escorted the senior doctor away from the area.
Viral Video Shows Alleged Assault
A video of the confrontation has gone viral on social media. In the video, the senior doctor is allegedly heard saying, “Your father’s rule doesn’t work here.”
The junior doctor also alleged that the incident was captured on CCTV cameras installed inside the emergency room.
She further claimed that she had previously submitted a written complaint against the senior doctor on July 1 through the hospital superintendent to the Resident Medical Officer, but no action was taken at that time.
Junior Doctors Stage Protest
The alleged assault triggered anger among junior doctors at the hospital.
The Junior Doctors Association staged a brief protest late on August 20, demanding action against the senior doctor and better protection for doctors working in emergency areas.
The protest was called off after a complaint was registered at Pradyumnanagar Police Station, following which resident doctors resumed their duties.
Police registered a case under Sections 115(2), 352 and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and detained the senior doctor on August 21.
Gujarat Government Transfers Senior Doctor
The Gujarat government took serious note of the incident and ordered the transfer of the senior doctor from Rajkot Civil Hospital to a primary health centre in Panchmahal district.
Health Minister Praful Pansheriya spoke to the affected doctor over the phone and assured her of justice and complete security.
The minister said the safety and dignity of women employees and doctors working in government health services are a priority for the government and that misconduct or inappropriate behaviour at the workplace would not be tolerated.
The Health Department has also issued guidelines to government health institutions across Gujarat to ensure a safe, respectful and positive working environment.
Doctors Demand Strict Action
Dr Dhruv Chauhan, National Spokesperson of the Indian Medical Association-Junior Doctors Network, said that physical assault of junior doctors by senior doctors has occurred in several instances, while verbal abuse often goes unreported.
He said that if the allegations of physical assault are established, appropriate action should be taken against the senior doctor and he should not be permitted to work anywhere in the hospital.
Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, Health Activist, also condemned the alleged assault and demanded immediate action against the accused.
Dr Wasim Khan, Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Students Association, expressed solidarity with the female resident doctor and said hospitals must be safe spaces for doctors.
Dr Jaideep Kumar Choudhary, National Chairman of FAIMA, said such conduct is against medical ethics and etiquette and urged authorities to take appropriate action if the allegations are proved.
Dr Amit Vyas, National President of the Democratic Medical Association, said there can be no justification for physically assaulting or verbally abusing an on-duty resident doctor. He said disagreements or administrative disputes can never justify violence against doctors.
