MBBS students and resident doctors at GMCH Nagpur have been on strike since past few days demanding termination of Dr Makrand Vyawahare against whom accusations have been piling for harassing junior doctors. A Forensic PG student had attempted suicide, blaming Dr Vyawahare for harassment. This was followed by another complaint from a female junior resident charging Dr Vyawahare of mental as well as sexual torture.
Nagpur: The controversy surrounding the Head of the Forensic Science Department in Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) here has threatened to snowball into a major showdown as the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has called for an indefinite strike by MBBS students and resident doctors across the State from Thursday.
A press note issued by Central MARD stated that “The Nagpur incident …where one resident doctor tried to commit suicide, a female resident doctor filed complaint of sexual harassment and 1000 undergraduates complained against one person is very serious. Just because he is relative of Finance Minister, he cannot be given special treatment …” warned the MARD and added “The Medical Education Secretary’s office, Directorate of Medical Education and Research ( DMER) and GMC Nagpur Dean have failed to perform their duty.
“As a result, left with no other option, Central MARD has decided to go on an indefinite strike from Thursday morning all over Maharashtra,” said the press release. It further said that all medical colleges across Maharashtra will undertake a candle march today (Tuesday) at 6 pm.
It is pertinent to recall that MBBS students and resident doctors at GMCH Nagpur have been on strike since past few days demanding the termination of Dr Makrand Vyawahare against whom accusations have been piling for harassing junior doctors. Around 350 resident doctors and 200 students have demanded action to be taken against Dr Vyawahare. Earlier last week, a Forensic PG student had attempted suicide, naming Dr Vyawahare in the suicide note blaming the said HOD of the Forensic Department of GMCH for harassment. This was followed by another complaint from a female junior resident of the said department blaming Dr Vyawahare for mental as well as sexual harassment. GMCH Nagpur had suspended the Dr Vyawahare from the post of Vice-Deanship and initiated an enquiry against him. Sources point out that the accused doctor has since not come to the hospital premises even after many requests and is delaying the said proceedings.
Soon after Dr Makrand Vyawahare was dismissed from his post, students of the college organized a dharna outside the Dean’s office. They added on to the list of allegations that have already been levelled against the Head of the Forensic Science Department of the College.
