The government’s decision to issue a show-cause notice to a gynaecologist working in Periyapatna taluk hospital has riled the Karnataka Government Medical Officers’ Association (KGMOA) which has taken serious exception to it and wants the notice rescinded.
The KGMOA has rallied behind the gynaecologist, Veena Singh, who allegedly did not comply with the request of the local MLA K. Mahadev of the JD(S) to treat him at his house. She has said that she was attending to a medical emergency in the hospital at night and hence could not comply with the request. She has since been issued a show-cause notice.
Plea to Minister
Members of the KGMOA met the Commissioner, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, who assured them to stand by the “erring” doctor, according to association president R. Ranganath. The KGOA has also requested Health Minister Shivananda Patil to withdraw the notice and not initiate any action against Dr. Singh. “The entire government medical fraternity is behind her,” he added.
There was already 50% vacancy of specialist staff in government hospitals and such incidents will only send negative message to the future potential recruits and deter them from entering the government service, said Dr. Ranganath on Friday. “A patient is a patient whether it is a commoner or an MLA and hence the doctor was right in not complying with the request sent through some unknown persons to treat him at home,” he added.
The alleged incident took place on September 18 when Dr. Singh was on night duty and there was a woman in labour to whom she was attending. Besides, there were a few accident cases too that required treatment, she said in her complaint to the Mysuru branch of the KGMOA. Dr. Singh went on to state that she was examining a patient when an autorickshaw driver, who was allegedly drunk, asked her to visit the MLA’s house as he was not well.
‘Taken by surprise’
“I was taken by surprise as this was very new to me and I was the only doctor in the hospital with a patient in the labour room and in the casualty. So I called up our AMO Dr. Srinivas sir and informed him regarding the situation,” said Dr. Singh, who then asked the auto driver to speak to the AMO. He left without talking. Nevertheless, a bed was kept ready to treat the MLA if he turned up, she added.
Dr. Singh alleged that the MLA turned up at 7.30 a.m. the next day with his followers and mediapersons and though she tried to explain the situation, he did not understand. Subsequently, Mr. Mahadev complained to the Department of Health and Family Welfare that he was refused treatment by the doctor. Dr. Singh was later issued a notice.
MLA wants apology
Mr. Mahadev, who has accused a doctor of refusing to treat him, on Friday said he would withdraw the complaint against the doctor if she apologised.
When contacted, Mr. Mahadev claimed he was listening to public grievances that evening (September 18) till 8.30 p.m. “There were nearly a 1,000 people who had gathered near my house. I was feeling tired and collapsed. I sought for the doctor as the hospital is hardly 100 metres from my house. But she refused to come and I was taken to a local medical practitioner,” said Mr. Mahadev.
The MLA said he visited the hospital the next morning and asked the doctor as to why she refused him treatment. “But the doctor was rude and told me she was busy. I have no animosity against the doctor and will withdraw my complaint if she apologises,” said Mr. Mahadev.