Assault case: JJ resident doctors to resume work

State medical education minister Girish Mahajan held a meeting late on Saturday evening with six resident doctors of JJ Hospital’s obstetrics and gynaecology department who had complained, on Thursday, of physical assault and verbal abuse by Dr Rekha G. Daver, the department head. It was decided in the meeting that no resident doctor would be posted under Dr Daver. The doctors, who had been absent from work, will now resume their activities. Furthermore, a grievance redressal cell headed by a high court judge will probe the allegations against Dr Daver and produce a report on the same within a fortnight. Dr Daver and the resident doctors concerned were present at the meeting.

The resident doctors had threatened to go on strike if action was not taken against Dr Daver.

Dr Sagar Mundada, president of the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), said that the meeting saw deep discussions. “The six resident doctors will resume work on Tuesday morning, when they will be allotted duties in another unit. The grievance redressal cell headed by Justice Daga will inquire into allegations and come out with a report on the same within a fortnight.”

Speaking about the turn of events, Dr Daver said, “Those who have been absent have said that they would resume work, and I won’t be talking any action against resident doctors who re-join. I am waiting for the Justice Daga committee report. Twenty eight resident doctors, who are returning, won’t be posted in my unit during their tenure.”

Dr T.P. Lahane, the dean of the hospital, said, “I had received a complaint about the incident. A resident doctor said she was slapped inside a ward. I have already turned to the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) and appointed a three-member internal committee to probe the matter.” The unit has been given eight days’ time to complete the investigation.