Rajkot: Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya on Friday assured a woman doctor of swift justice and full security after an alleged incident of misbehaviour involving her at Rajkot Civil Hospital, saying the state government had taken the matter “extremely seriously”.
The incident reportedly took place on Thursday evening at the emergency ward of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay (PDU) Civil Hospital in Rajkot, where a 26-year-old resident doctor was allegedly abused, slapped and threatened by a male colleague following a disagreement over the admission of a critically-ill patient.
According to a complaint filed by the woman doctor, identified as Krisha Singhala, she had been working as a first-year resident doctor in the medicine department for around six months.
She was on a 24-hour emergency ward duty when an elderly patient in a critical condition was brought to the hospital at around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.
The confrontation reportedly followed a disagreement concerning the patient’s admission.
The incident subsequently led to anger among junior doctors and a late-night protest at the hospital, according to local sources.
The protest was called off after a complaint was registered against Ashwin Ramani at Pradyumnanagar Police Station, following which the resident doctors resumed their duties.
The police action intensified on Friday, when Ramani was detained in connection with the complaint.
Reacting to the incident, Pansheriya said he had spoken to the affected doctor by telephone and assured her that immediate justice and complete security would be provided by Friday evening.
“The state government has taken the incident of misbehaviour with a woman doctor at Rajkot Civil Hospital extremely seriously. I spoke to the victim woman doctor over the telephone and assured her of prompt justice and complete security by the evening,” he added.
Pansheriya also said the state government would not compromise on the dignity and respect of women employees and doctors.
“There will be no compromise whatsoever on the dignity and respect of women employees and doctors. In cases of such misbehaviour, the strictest possible action will be taken against the person found guilty,” he added.
The reported incident comes amid renewed scrutiny of workplace conduct and the treatment of junior doctors at government hospitals in Gujarat.
Earlier this month, allegations of ragging and harassment involving senior doctors at Surat Civil Hospital came under police investigation following the death of resident doctor, Harsh Pandya.
In the Rajkot case, the complaint and subsequent investigation will determine the circumstances of the incident and responsibility for the alleged conduct.
(IANS)
