Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha has directed health officials to take appropriate action after resident doctors at Agartala Government Medical College and GB Pant Hospital threatened a pen-down strike from 9 am Monday over allegations against a doctor.
Key Takeaways
- CM Dr Manik Saha said he directed health officials to take proper action on the resident doctors’ demands.
- The RDA has threatened a pen-down strike from 9 am Monday over allegations against a doctor.
- The association has demanded an impartial investigation into the incident and circulation of the video.
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha has directed the concerned health officials to take appropriate action after resident doctors at Agartala Government Medical College and GB Pant Hospital threatened a pen-down strike from 9 am Monday over allegations against a doctor.
The Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) has demanded an impartial investigation into the incident. It has also sought action against those responsible for recording and circulating a video containing allegations made by a patient.
Dr Saha said he had received a document outlining the resident doctors’ protests and demands. He also said the doctors had filed a case in connection with the matter.
“I have received a document regarding the protests and demands of the resident doctors. They have filed a case as well. I have already forwarded it to the secretary health department and instructed the concerned officials to take proper action. Appropriate measures will be undertaken pertaining to the issue,” Dr Saha said.
RDA Demands Impartial Investigation
The controversy followed a clinical examination at the Medicine OPD involving a patient who had sought treatment for prolonged urethral discharge.
According to the RDA, the doctor decided to conduct a physical examination because it was important for diagnosing sexually transmitted diseases. The doctor did not rely solely on medication or investigations.
The association said the examination took place with the patient’s consent and followed prescribed protocols. It also said the doctor wore gloves during the examination.
The RDA claimed that the patient experienced a spontaneous erection and ejaculated during the examination.
The doctor then completed the examination, removed the gloves and provided the patient with a prescription and medicines, the association said.
Patient’s Allegation Circulates on Social Media
The RDA said the doctor intended to take the patient to the Head of the Department of Medicine to address any concerns.
However, the association said the patient later returned to the OPD while the doctor was attending to another patient.
According to the RDA, the patient then accused the doctor of tasting or ingesting his semen after the examination.
The doctor has denied the allegation.
Videos containing the patient’s statements subsequently circulated widely on social media platforms.
The circulation of the video prompted resident doctors to stage a demonstration at the hospital premises on Saturday.
Doctors Seek Action Over Video
An RDA member speaking at the protest categorically rejected the allegations against the doctor.
The association demanded legal action against those who recorded and circulated the video.
It also called for the removal of what it described as unverified and defamatory content from online platforms.
The RDA further sought public corrections and apologies from media organisations and social media platforms that published such material.
The association wants authorities to identify the person who recorded and circulated the video. It has also demanded appropriate legal proceedings against those responsible.
RDA Wants Circumstances Examined
The resident doctors have sought an impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the entire incident.
The inquiry, according to the RDA, should examine how the video was recorded and how it reached social media platforms.
The association has also called for an inquiry into whether anyone encouraged the patient to record the video or provided him with media contacts.
The RDA said it did not want to conceal any facts. Instead, it called for a fair inquiry before any conclusion is reached against the doctor.
It maintained that conclusions should not rest solely on a video or one-sided allegations while an investigation remains pending.
Concern Over Doctors’ Professional Dignity
The association said the allegations and subsequent circulation of the video had affected the concerned doctor’s personal and professional dignity.
It also expressed concern that such incidents could weaken trust between patients and medical professionals.
According to the RDA, such developments could discourage doctors from conducting physical examinations even when they are clinically necessary.
The association has therefore demanded the removal of misleading or defamatory content from online platforms and measures to prevent its further circulation.
It has also sought public clarifications, corrections, apologies and retractions from those who published information that it considers unverified or defamatory.
Pen-Down Strike Warning
The RDA has set 9 am Monday as the deadline for action on its demands.
It said resident doctors would begin a pen-down strike if the authorities failed to take prompt and satisfactory measures.
The association’s demands include an impartial investigation, identification of the person who recorded and circulated the video, appropriate legal action and removal of disputed online content.
Meanwhile, Dr Saha said he had already forwarded the resident doctors’ document to the secretary of the Health Department and instructed the concerned officials to take proper action.
He said appropriate measures would be undertaken in connection with the issue.
