Jr doc alleges harrassment
A junior resident doctor from Masina Hospital has alleged that she was forced to remain on call duty for 24 hours at a stretch for over a month. She also alleged that she was prevented from attending nature’s call or denied time off to have her meals on many occasions during the month.
The 28-year-old has also written letters to the directorate of medical education (DMER) and the hospital authorities, but they have remained non-committal on the issue.
Dr Monika Dhumal has been associated with the hospital since August 2011. However, it was only in February that she cleared the diploma in gynaecology and obstetrics examination conducted by the college of physicians and surgeons.
She was then offered a post of a junior resident doctor in the gynaecology department of Masina Hospital.
“My travails started soon after taking this seat. My appointment letter said that I was required to work from 8 am to 4 pm everyday. But the seniors put me on 24-hour emergency duty everyday. This meant that I was required to admit patients, help conduct deliveries, look after patients, maintain details, complete discharge formalities round the clock,” said Dr Dhumal.
According to Dr Dhumal, some seniors would not allow her to sleep at all. “I would not be allowed to even go to the canteen inside the campus, to have my meals. If a senior took pity on me, they would allow me to sleep for an hour or two. For that whole month, I lived in the gynaecology ward itself. I was told that if I continue to do my duty for two months without making a fuss, I would get a good conduct report and then would be shifted to normal duty hours like the seniors,” said Dr Dhumal.
However, it was when Dr Dhumal fell ill that her troubles started. Her health reports showed that she had got a viral infection and her platelet and WBC count went down. “When I asked to be allowed to go home to recover, the seniors refused. It was then that I went to the hospital authorities, and tried to tell them about my ordeal. But it made no difference.” she said, adding that since then, the hospital has been trying to take her PG seat away. Dr Dhumal has written innumerable letters to hospital management and even the state.
When contacted, Dr Rohinton Dastoor, medical director of Masina Hospital refused to comment on this issue.
Post new comment