Pune: Junior Resident Doctor Suspended For Forceful Discharge Of Handicapped Patient At Sassoon Hospital
Pune: Junior Resident Doctor Suspended For Forceful Discharge Of Handicapped Patient At Sassoon Hospital
Dr. Eknath Pawar, the dean of BJ Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital, suspended a second junior resident doctor on Monday for involvement in the unauthorized discharge of a handicapped patient in the early hours of July 22. This action followed the initial suspension of another junior resident on July 23, after police registered an FIR under section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, citing a rash or negligent act endangering human life.
A committee was formed by Dr. Pawar to investigate the incident after a video surfaced showing the patient, who had both legs amputated, left under a tree in Yerawada. Based on the committee’s findings, it was revealed that the second doctor assisted in escorting the patient out of the hospital. Consequently, the second doctor has been suspended from academic activities until further notice. Additionally, both doctors face a recommendation for expulsion from the hostel and college for one academic term, pending approval from the medical education department, the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), and the medical education commissioner.
Dr. Pawar confirmed that no other hospital staff, including nurses, were involved in the incident. The report also included a response from Dr. Girish Bartakke, the head of the orthopedics department, denied any knowledge of the event. Dr. Pawar noted that there was no evidence implicating Dr. Bartakke.
CCTV footage captured both junior doctors, who are first-year master’s students in orthopedics, removing the patient from the hospital premises. Initially, Dr. Pawar stated that the patient had repeatedly requested discharge but could not be released without proper procedure. The hospital’s social welfare team typically attempts to contact relatives of unidentified patients, or arranges rehabilitation through an NGO if no relatives are found. In this case, the patient was still awaiting rehabilitation.
The incident has raised significant concerns about patient care and procedural adherence at Sassoon General Hospital.
