Rajkot: A 26-year-old resident doctor was allegedly abused, slapped and threatened by a senior colleague in the emergency room of Rajkot Civil Hospital on Thursday after a disagreement over the admission of a critically ill patient.Acting on a complaint filed by Dr Krisha Singala, Pradyuman Nagar police registered a case against Dr Ashwin Ramani.Dr Singala, a resident doctor in the medicine department who has been working at the hospital for six months, alleged the offence took place between 7.30pm and 7.45pm.Dr Singala alleged that an elderly woman in critical condition, who needed ventilator support, was brought to the hospital. She asked Dr Ramani, the on-duty doctor, to admit the patient to the emergency ward. He dismissed her request and insisted that the patient be moved to a general ward.When Dr Singala reiterated the seriousness of the patient’s condition, Dr Ramani allegedly lost his temper, verbally abused her and slapped her. He also issued criminal threats before other hospital staff and security personnel intervened and escorted him away.Dr Singala said the entire incident was captured on CCTV cameras in the emergency room. She also claimed that she had previously submitted a written complaint against Dr Ramani on July 1 to the resident medical officer through the hospital superintendent, but no action was taken at the time.Accompanied by her father and uncle, Dr Singala approached Pradyuman Nagar police station on Thursday night and formally lodged the complaint.Dr Ramani was booked for causing hurt, criminal intimidation and intentional insult to provoke breach of peace, police said.After the alleged offence, resident doctors at Rajkot Civil Hospital went on strike and protested the behaviour of the senior doctor.An emergency meeting was later held between Dr Singala’s family members and hospital authorities.Speaking to mediapersons, Dr Singala said, “I received very good support from the hospital and administration. I have been heard by all senior officials and they have supported me in a positive way. They promised that appropriate action will be taken.”Dr Ramani is a senior medical officer deputed to the emergency ward.Resident medical officer Dr Harshad Dusra said Dr Ramani had been sent on mandatory leave and instructed not to report for duty until the health department takes a decision.“We have submitted a report to Gandhinagar and a decision is awaited,” Dr Dusra added.
