Docs ‘harassed’ by patients, panel to review security at GMCH-32

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 10

After a few doctors lodged verbal complaints about harassment by patients, Prof BS Chavan, Director-Principal of the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, has constituted a committee to check security arrangements at the infirmary.

Chavan said there were 60 CCTV cameras on the hospital campus, which cover all gate entrances, corridors and other sensitive places. “The committee will find out whether all of them are in working condition. It will also assess other security arrangements,” he said.

The GMCH Director said no doctor lodged a written complaint about any untoward incident since he took charge six months ago.

However, there were two verbal complaints. In one case, a woman doctor complained that a patient gave her a threat letter. Another junior doctor complained she was touched inappropriately by a patient a few days ago. But, she did not want to pursue the matter by giving a complaint in writing, added Chavan.

Despite repeated attempts, Medical Superintendent Ravi Gupta, who deals with such cases, could not be contacted.

Sources said a doctor on Monday complained he was slapped by a patient while waiting for his turn at the OPD. The police were informed about the incident. Sources said it later turned out that the patient’s mouth and nose were bleeding while there was no visible injury on the doctor’s body.

Meanwhile, the Chandigarh branch of the Indian Medical Association condemned the incidents and appealed to all hospitals in the city to have adequate security arrangements.