Thiruvananthapuram: A doctor at Kottarakkara taluk hospital in Kollam has been directed to go on compulsory leave following allegations of misbehaviour with a patient and his attendants.Dr Rekha Krishnan, who was on casualty duty at the hospital, has been instructed to proceed on compulsory leave. The action came after a video showing the doctor allegedly arguing with a patient and those accompanying him circulated widely on social media.In the video, the doctor is heard telling the patient and the bystanders that fever and body pain didn’t constitute an emergency. She is heard saying that the emergency department was not meant for people to “rush into”, and questioning their decision to seek treatment after midnight.The visuals triggered criticism over the doctor’s alleged conduct towards the patient and attendants. As the video became viral, the hospital superintendent issued a show-cause notice to Dr Krishnan, seeking an explanation for her conduct.Meanwhile, the health department’s vigilance wing visited the hospital and conducted an inquiry into the incident. The incident has once again raised concerns over the conduct of medical staff towards patients and attendants at govt hospitals, especially in emergency departments.
