Navsari: Gujarat government has asked the medical superintendent of a government hospital in Navsari district to go on leave for five days after an official enquiry revealed that she refused to treat locals and said that she would only treat patients from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
It has been alleged that Dr Smita Tiwari, medical superintendent at Meghushi hospital, abused the Billimora Nagar Palika BJP president and other members when they went to the hospital to discuss the issue, The Indian Express reported.
The incident was reported on Wednesday evening when Veenaben Rushi was waiting with her ailing 10-year-old son to see Tiwari.
The patients waited for an hour outside her office but to no avail as she refused to treat them. Tiwari allegedly told them, “I am not here to treat Gujarati patients, I will treat patients of UP and Bihar… You Gujarati people harassed me and my father earlier.” She then reportedly asked the women to leave her chamber.
Billimora Nagar Palika BJP president Mukesh Naik then reportedly reached the hospital along with a few women members of the Nagar Palika and leader of Opposition, Arvind Patel. Dr Tiwari allegedly misbehaved with them.
A complain was registered with Regional Deputy Director (RDD) of Health Department in Surat. A probe panel was set up by the RDD. The panel recorded the statements of Tiwari, Naik and hospital staff.
The panel submitted its report to the RDD and Additional Director of Medical Services at Gandhinagar. After examining the same, Tiwari was sent on leave.
The RDD said, “She told them, I will not treat Gujarati patients and will treat only patients of UP and Bihar. Other doctors in the hospital also said that she was irregular at work and her behaviour was inappropriate.”
