A postgraduate radiology student at Stanley Medical College and Hospital was suspended based on a complaint of sexual harassment on Friday. The suspension will be there until the completion of an inquiry.
The accused doctor was identified as Dr. Gokulakirshnan. Because of the history of displaced intrauterine devices, the doctor allegedly conducted a vaginal examination for further diagnosis. Preliminary inquiries showed that the doctor had allegedly failed to obtain written consent before examining the patient.
On Wednesday, the woman came to Stanley Medical Hospital after suffering from ‘acute gastroenteritis and dehydration’. On the next day, she was taken to the radiology department for an abdomen and pelvis scan. A postgraduate student of radiodiagnosis, along with Dr. Badmapriya, conducted the scan under the supervision of assistant professor Dr. Usha.
The woman also had pain in her breasts as she had not breastfed her child for two days. Commenting on this, the Dean of the institute, Dr. Balaji, mentioned, "Gokulakirshnan had expressed the retained milk with a syringe. He may have done good to relieve her of the pain but did not take written consent from her."
Afterward, the woman and her family grumbled to the management, saying that "the doctor touched her inappropriately during the examination" and insisted on immediate action.
Following this, on Friday, a six-member team comprising the medical college vice president, hospital superintendent, and four professors carried out a preliminary inquiry.
Dr. Usha, the assistant lady professor who was present in the ward when the doctor examined the patient, told the committee that he did not touch her with malicious intent but was only trying to make a diagnosis. Despite that, the committee opined that examining the private parts of the patient without obtaining written consent was a violation of the medical code. Based on the committee's recommendation, the doctor was suspended.
Moreover, the committee's recommendation was placed before the college council. The members of the council opined that the charges could have been turned down if the doctor had followed the ethical code, and therefore, they recommended suspending the accused doctor. "Based on the council's decision, the doctor has been placed under suspension," said Dr. Balaji. This decision by the medical college management was justified by the Directorate of Medical Education, which is the apex body regulating the government medical colleges in Tamil Nadu.
In the meantime, the woman lodged a complaint at Tondaiarpet All Women Police Station. Based on the complaint, the doctor was called to the police station for an investigation, and a case was registered against him.
(Input from various media sources)
(Rehash/Komal Bhoi)
