In three months, PGIMER director receives two harassment complaints against Urology department doctors

According to Lal, the complainant has been called to give her statements on September 27, and once these are recorded, the matter will be taken further. The OPDs of PGI have both male and female hospital attendants and during the examination of a woman patient, if she is alone, a hospital attendant must be present in the room, according to ethical standards.

In another case, senior residents of the department in June had written to the PGIMER director, alleging intimidation and harassment by a professor of the department and demanded action against him.

According to the letter, the professor made “demeaning” remarks about their academic abilities in front of patients and staff, and had unrealistic work expectations, created a hostile learning environment, with threats of academic penalties, failure in final exams and cancellation of leaves. The residents further said that the environment of fear was detrimental to their learning experience, undermining the quality of education that the institute strives to provide. The statements of all stakeholders were recorded, and as per the director, an amicable solution to the issue was being worked upon, though no decision has been taken.

In another case, a woman nursing staff of PGIMER this January had accused a male staff posted in the Neurology Stroke Unit of abusive behaviour and coming to the night shift after consuming alcohol. The complaint went on to the Union Health Ministry, as the complainant said the matter was not addressed and was passed on from one department to another. It is still pending with the Internal Complaint Committee.