Surat: The death of a 30 year old postgraduate medical student at a government hospital hostel in Surat has raised questions over alleged harassment by senior doctors, with four residents now suspended as authorities investigate what led to the tragedy.
The deceased, Dr Harsh Pandya, was a postgraduate student and resident doctor in the Microbiology Department at New Civil Hospital. He was found dead in his hostel room on Sunday, after he failed to report for his scheduled emergency duty.
Following the incident, Gujarat Health Minister Praful Panseriya ordered an internal inquiry into allegations of ragging and mental or physical harassment at the hospital and hostel. The authorities have been asked to submit a detailed report within 24 hours.
Four senior resident doctors Dr Nirali Vasave, Dr Anuj Maheshwari, Dr Dikshit Ghevariya and Hina Bhutne have been suspended for six months. Their suspension covers the hospital, hostel and teaching activities while the allegations are examined.
According to officials, Pandya was expected to report for duty on Sunday morning. When he did not arrive, a senior doctor tried calling him, but his phone was switched off.
Another resident doctor was then sent to check on him at the hostel. Pandya was staying in Room 1005 of Building B of the Boys’ PG Hostel. The room was locked from inside and there was no response despite repeated attempts to contact him.
Security personnel were called and the door was eventually opened. Pandya was found hanging from the ceiling fan. Police were informed and an investigation was subsequently launched.
Pandya’s father, Dr Subhash Pandya, said his son had not been facing any academic difficulties. He did, however, mention that there had been occasional disagreements between seniors and juniors over work related matters. The family said Pandya had also recently become engaged, making the news particularly devastating for those close to him.
Meanwhile, statements are being recorded from doctors and students staying at the hostel as part of the inquiry. Investigators are looking into whether workplace pressure, alleged ragging or harassment had any connection with Pandya’s death.
At this stage, the allegations against the four suspended doctors have not been conclusively established. Their suspension is an administrative action pending the outcome of the inquiry and police investigation.
The case has once again put the spotlight on the working environment faced by postgraduate doctors, particularly concerns surrounding senior junior relationships, workload and alleged harassment in medical institutions.
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