Panel to probe slapping of intern doctor at NCH

SURAT: The issue of an intern doctor being slapped by a resident doctor in Government Medical College (GMC) located in New Civil Hospital (NCH) campus fizzled out on the second day with authorities saying that the incident does not amount to ragging.

However, on the demand of intern doctors, a three-member committee has been formed to look into the incident. The committee will submit its report on Thursday.

Talking to TOI, GMC dean Dr G A Patel said, "It was an isolated incident and doesn't classify as ragging because it was not preplanned act of a group on another group. However, we will decide on the future course of action after the committee submits its report." Close to 100 intern doctors, who went on strike on Monday, resumed work and the situation returned to normal at NCH. A resident doctor Amol Jadhav had slapped an intern doctor Ujjawal Devaliya on Sunday following arguments over a petty issue.

The committee consists of head of psychiatry department Dr Ritambhara Mehta, head of PSM department Dr N D Kanthariya and head of forensic department Dr Ganesh Govekar.

Dr Govekar said, "We are in the process of investigations, but it doesn't look like an incident of ragging." Dr Mehta said, "The committee is constituted to find if it was the incident of ragging or not. We are yet to arrive at the conclusion." Meanwhile, an intern doctor said on the condition of anonymity, "We are working today, but waiting for the report. We will not tolerate such behaviour from resident doctors. If they don't punish the guilty, we will resume our agitation." tnn