Rude8217; JJ doctor taken to task

November 14: Bedside manner was dead long ago. But, one would think, doctors would at least refrain from being rude, much less fleeing fr...

November 14: Bedside manner was dead long ago. But, one would think, doctors would at least refrain from being rude, much less fleeing from a bleeding patient. This one even went to the extent of pigeon-holing patients as those he8217;d treat and those he wouldn8217;t! The police have since registered a non-cognisable offence against the doctor, who dared turn away one of their own.

The JJ Marg police, who have complained against two incidents of 8220;uncivilised and rude behaviour8221; allegedly by Dr Dr Deepak Shraddhey, casualty medical officer CMO with the government-run JJ Hospital, have also forwarded a report on the matter to the hospital and state government.

The first complaint pertains to the doctor8217;s behaviour on September 24, when some persons who were injured in a Ganapati procession arrived at the hospital8217;s casualty ward, where Dr Shraddhey was the CMO on duty.

However, since the CMO was not in his seat, the group grew restive. When Dr Shraddhey finally turned up, they demanded an explanation.However, angry words soon gave way to fisticuffs and the doctor allegedly pushed one of the patients. Then he fled without administering any treatment.

Sandesh Hiraji Girkar, who was allegedly roughed up by the CMO, lodged a complaint with the hospital as well as the JJ Marg police station, which recorded a non-cognisable complaint.

In the second incident, a police constable was allegedly turned away by Dr Shraddhey on September 29, when he sought treatment in the casualty ward after a prisoner he was escorting to JJ Hospital bit him on the hand. Dr Shraddhey, who was the CMO on duty, allegedly refused to treat him saying no policeman would receive treatment from him. Again, the constable brought this to the attention of the JJ Marg police.

Tanaji Ghadge, senior inspector of the police station, confirmed that a report had indeed been forwarded to the hospital and state government8217;s Department of Medical Education. According to police sources, inquiries have revealed that the doctor is generally rude andarrogant with patients.

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Police have also suggested in the report that Dr Shraddhey be transferred.

Dr Shraddhey himself denies all the charges, saying the patient were threatening him when he pushed one of them in the September 24 incident. He told Express Newsline that they were drunk and were creating a nuisance and that he had registered a counter-complaint with the police. He also denies that he refused to treat the constable and added that he has never been rude to patients. However, JJ Hospital Superintendent Dr L B Khotkar confirms that he had received a complaint with regard to the September 24 incident, saying Dr Shraddhey has since been instructed on how to handle patients.