A first-year Diplomate of National Board (DNB) Anaesthesia resident at LHDM & Dr. Prem Hospital, Panipat, has alleged that her Head of Department (HOD), physically assaulted her by slapping her with blood-stained surgical gloves after treating an HBsAg-positive patient inside the operation theatre (OT). The incident has sparked outrage among doctors, with the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) demanding immediate action against the accused faculty member.
According to FAIMA, the alleged assault occurred on June 22, 2026, and involved allegations of physical assault as well as possible occupational exposure to blood from gloves allegedly contaminated with blood from a patient who tested positive for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The association has urged the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) and the Haryana Medical Council to intervene immediately.
The complaint, dated June 23, 2026, was submitted by the resident doctor to FAIMA President and describes the events that allegedly unfolded during an operation theatre emergency.
According to the complaint, a patient undergoing modified radical mastectomy (MRM) deteriorated during extubation. The resident immediately informed her senior on duty. After stabilizing the patient, the HOD allegedly began verbally abusing the resident in front of the OT staff before slapping her with gloves stained with blood from the HBsAg-positive patient.
The resident stated that the incident caused physical pain, emotional distress, and public humiliation. She further alleged that this was not an isolated event and claimed she had faced verbal abuse from the HOD since the first day of her training, leading to ongoing mental distress.
She wrote that the latest incident left her "completely shattered mentally" and appealed for urgent intervention, stating that such conduct violated professional standards and workplace safety expected in a medical institution.
In her complaint, the resident also alleged that the department's work environment had become so hostile that another postgraduate trainee had already abandoned her DNB seat due to similar treatment.
HBsAg-positive means a person has hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in their blood, indicating that they are currently infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The presence of HBsAg can be detected even before symptoms appear and may indicate either an acute or chronic hepatitis B infection. Because the virus is present in the bloodstream, it can potentially be transmitted through contact with infected blood or other body fluids.
Standard infection-control guidelines recommend prompt medical evaluation following occupational exposure to blood, including assessment of hepatitis B vaccination status and consideration of post-exposure prophylaxis where indicated.
Sharing details of the complaint on X, FAIMA described the allegations as involving "physical assault and torture" and stated that the resident was allegedly slapped with gloves stained with blood from an HBsAg-positive patient inside the operation theatre.
The association used the term "intentional criminal biohazard exposure" in reference to the allegation that blood-stained gloves from an HBsAg-positive patient were used during the alleged assault.
The association termed the alleged act "intentional criminal biohazard exposure" and said the toxicity of the workplace had already driven another resident to leave the programme.
FAIMA demanded:
Immediate suspension of the concerned HOD
Urgent medical prophylaxis and viral testing for the resident doctor
Immediate intervention by NBEMS
Action by the Haryana Medical Council
The association also stated, "We will not tolerate our junior colleagues being treated like sub-humans."
In an interview with Medical Dialogues, Dr. Lakshya Kumar Jha, National Vice President of FAIMA, said the organisation had received a complaint alleging physical assault, verbal abuse, and workplace harassment by a senior faculty member.
He stated that the allegations were extremely serious and, if proven, would represent a grave violation of professional conduct and workplace safety.
Dr. Jha added that FAIMA is gathering information from all stakeholders and has sought a fair, transparent, and time-bound inquiry by the concerned authorities. He also stressed that the complainant should be heard without fear of retaliation while ensuring due process for all parties involved.
Pediatrician Dr. Sivaranjani, responding to the incident on X, questioned how higher authorities at work could act like this.
Her post said, "Why do these kind of HODs think they can get away with anything and everything??!!"
As of publication, no official statement from LHDM & Dr. Prem Hospital, the accused HOD, NBEMS, or the Haryana Medical Council regarding the allegations or any disciplinary action has been made public.
Reference:
1. Larke, R. P. Bryce. “The HBsAg-Positive Patient: Implications and a Guide to Management.” Canadian Family Physician 25 (March 1979): 317–319. Accessed June 27, 2026. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2382988/
(Rh/ARC/MSM)
