BYL Nair hospital suicide: Two doctors served notice
TNN | May 25, 2019, 05.44 AM IST
TNN | May 25, 2019, 05.44 AM IST
MUMBAI: The head of gynaecology department at BYL Nair Hospital and another professor were served show-cause notices on Friday by the institute, two days after a 26-year-old resident doctor, Dr Payal Tadvi, committed suicide after allegedly facing harassment and casteist jibes at the hands of three seniors. The professors, including Dr Tadvi's unit head, have been asked to explain why they failed to act on her verbal complaints.
"Prima facie, it seems that Dr Tadvi's unit head, Dr Yi Ching Ling, and department head, Dr S D Shirodkar, were aware of her issues as she had lodged verbal complaints. However, it is best known to these professors why such a serious complaint was not escalated to my level," said dean Dr Ramesh Bharmal, adding that he was in the dark about the case. "Whether or not the professors had resolved the matter, they should have brought it to my notice. If we find that her complaint was not appropriately handled, we will not hesitate to initiate action against the professors too."
Dr Tadvi, who hailed from Jalgaon and was pursuing MD in gynaecology at the civic-run medical college, hanged herself in her hostel room a few hours after performing two surgeries on Wednesday evening. Her family has alleged that she was being "harassed and humiliated" by her seniors-Dr Hema Ahuja, Dr Bhakti Mehar and Dr Ankita Khandilwal-as she belonged to a tribal community. They have been booked for abetment by the Agripada police, but no arrests have been made so far.
It has also come to light that the victim's father, Saleem, had, on May 10, written to health minister Girish Mahajan and the Agripada police asking for his daughter's unit to be changed. In his letter, he wrote that his daughter was always "reminded of her background". "They would make her work continuously for days, wouldn't even let her eat meals on time," he wrote. He also alleged that she was not allowed to meet her mother, a cancer patient, when she came to the hospital for treatment.
An anti-ragging committee, comprising doctors, police officials and NGO members, has started a parallel investigation into the case. Dr Bharmal said the report is expected by Tuesday, following which a decision on the suspension of the three accused doctors would be taken. A few political parties have also demanded Dr Bharmal's resignation.
The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors said they will organise a sensitisation campaign for doctors on how to deal with their own work stress, while helping their juniors. A resident doctor told TOI, "There are many seniors who give a tough time to their juniors, even passing off their workload, but it eases over time. However, it's a problem and needs to be addressed."
"Prima facie, it seems that Dr Tadvi's unit head, Dr Yi Ching Ling, and department head, Dr S D Shirodkar, were aware of her issues as she had lodged verbal complaints. However, it is best known to these professors why such a serious complaint was not escalated to my level," said dean Dr Ramesh Bharmal, adding that he was in the dark about the case. "Whether or not the professors had resolved the matter, they should have brought it to my notice. If we find that her complaint was not appropriately handled, we will not hesitate to initiate action against the professors too."
Dr Tadvi, who hailed from Jalgaon and was pursuing MD in gynaecology at the civic-run medical college, hanged herself in her hostel room a few hours after performing two surgeries on Wednesday evening. Her family has alleged that she was being "harassed and humiliated" by her seniors-Dr Hema Ahuja, Dr Bhakti Mehar and Dr Ankita Khandilwal-as she belonged to a tribal community. They have been booked for abetment by the Agripada police, but no arrests have been made so far.
It has also come to light that the victim's father, Saleem, had, on May 10, written to health minister Girish Mahajan and the Agripada police asking for his daughter's unit to be changed. In his letter, he wrote that his daughter was always "reminded of her background". "They would make her work continuously for days, wouldn't even let her eat meals on time," he wrote. He also alleged that she was not allowed to meet her mother, a cancer patient, when she came to the hospital for treatment.
An anti-ragging committee, comprising doctors, police officials and NGO members, has started a parallel investigation into the case. Dr Bharmal said the report is expected by Tuesday, following which a decision on the suspension of the three accused doctors would be taken. A few political parties have also demanded Dr Bharmal's resignation.
The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors said they will organise a sensitisation campaign for doctors on how to deal with their own work stress, while helping their juniors. A resident doctor told TOI, "There are many seniors who give a tough time to their juniors, even passing off their workload, but it eases over time. However, it's a problem and needs to be addressed."
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