MBBS Students Sexual Harassment Case: Dr BSA Assistant Professor of Pharmacology suspended

New Delhi: Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has given the nod for the suspension of an Assistant Professor of Pharmacology from Delhi-based Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College following allegations of sexual harassment against him during a viva examination. 

In a statement, the Delhi government said it “is very disheartening” to see that even though it was considered to be a services matter falling in the LG’s domain, it took him more than two months to take action, reports news agency PTI. 

“And, it was only when the matter was constantly raised by the Health Minister, the LG had to take this action,” it said.

Also Read:Delhi: Suspension Issue of Dr BSA Medical College principal becomes a matter of political spat

Medical Dialogues team recently reported that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was under scrutiny for allegedly delaying action on a file recommending the removal of the principal of Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital, Delhi where female MBBS students faced sexual harassment.

The case involves an assistant professor at Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital, against whom a 22-year-old MBBS student filed a complaint last month, leading to a subsequent police investigation and the filing of a chargesheet.

In a note, Saxena said he has considered the proposal to suspend the assistant professor and initiate major disciplinary proceedings against him.

He said the “shocking incident of sexual harassment” took place in a medical college, so a mere transfer of the accused, as recommended by the internal complaints committee of the college, will not mitigate the “intimidating atmosphere” for the students.

“I approve the proposal of placing the officer under suspension with immediate effect, under Rule 10 of the CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965,” the LG said while stressing that the alleged act of the accused involved “moral turpitude”.

He also advised the department concerned to resubmit the proposal for the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the accused, with due recommendations from the National Capital Civil Services Authority (NCCSA) as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is the chairman of the panel, is currently in judicial custody.

The NCCSA deals with transfers and postings of officers. It is headed by the chief minister and comprises the chief secretary and a member secretary.

Kejriwal, who has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money-laundering case linked to the now-scrapped excise policy of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, is in judicial custody till April 15.

According to a PTI report, The Delhi government said, “The unfortunate incident involving molestation of MBBS students happened on January 31 and it was immediately reported by the brave girls to the college authorities. However, the matter was intentionally put under the wraps and the complainants were being forced to take back their complaints”.

Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj became aware of the situation through social media nearly a month and a half later and ensured strict action would be taken. 

“That very day, the minister met the complainants along with their warden. After speaking to them, he had assured that strictest action will be ensured.

“When asked about this incident, the Health Secretary and the Chief Secretary maintained that this matter being a services comes directly under the domain of LG, therefore minister or elected government was not required to be informed,” the government’s statement said.

The matter was vigorously taken up by Bharadwaj, though initially, there was visible reluctance on the part of the chief secretary, it added.

Also Read:Dr BSA Medical College Harassment Case: Health Dept asked to take disciplinary action against AP Pharmacology

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Shortage of Resident doctors! Panel suggests Compulsory 1-yr JRship at medical college from Where MBBS is Done

New Delhi: Noting huge vacancies of Junior Residents in Delhi Hospitals, the committee set up by the Delhi High Court has recommended introducing a compulsory one-year Junior-Residentship (JR ship) in the institute from where the medical students are pursuing their MBBS course.

Further, as an immediate measure, the panel has suggested giving autonomy to the government hospitals to fill up the vacant posts of Junior Residents on an ad-hoc/contractual basis.

In its interim report, submitted to the High Court, the panel noted that among the 2250 sanctioned posts of JRs, 1708 posts are filled while there are vacancies in 542 posts of JRs. Therefore, around 24% of posts of JRs are lying vacant in altogether 38 Government-run hospitals across Delhi.

Reasons for Vacant posts of JRs:

Informing that around 24% of the posts of JRs are lying vacant across Delhi Hospitals, the committee appointed by the High Court has listed the following reasons for the vacancies:

(i) The panel noted in its report that due to non-maintenance of Hierarchy system of Primary/Secondary/Tertiary centres, the tertiary centres are overburdened and doctors prefer to work in Primary centre/Secondary centres with less work/night duties/emergency duties.

(ii) As per the committee, admission to the speciality (MD) courses is another reason for the vacancies.

Immediate Measures Recommended by the Panel: 

  • Among the immediate measures to fill up the vacant JR posts in the Delhi hospitals, the committee has recommended giving autonomy to respective hospitals to fill up these posts on adhoc/contractual basis.
  • “To attract, the emoluments and other benefits for the contractual employees should be at par with the regular appointments. Filling these posts will be easier if the salary is 25% more than that of a regular employee,” it suggested in the report.
  • Further, the committee suggested extending the tenure from current one year to till replacement is available. It also recommended allowing re-employment of those who have done JR-ship before.

Short and Intermediate measures: 

Apart from the above-mentioned solutions, the committee also recommended expediting the recruitment to fill up the vacant posts. It suggested the following long-time measures to deal with the shortage:

1. Compulsory one year of JR ship in the institution from where MBBS is done like being followed in some states/Institutions.

2. Referral System to be strictly followed for Tertiary care Hospitals

3. Create posts of resident medical officers (RMOs), with 3 years post M.B.B.S. experience of having worked in emergency/casualty services or specialized areas.

Also Read: Pay Rs 1.5 Lakh for 4 hrs, Rs 4 Lakh for 12 hrs to Visiting Consultants: Panel Recommends measures to tackle huge vacancies of Specialists in Delhi

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that earlier this year, expressing displeasure over the “misleading” information provided to it on the functioning of medical equipment in GTB hospital, the Delhi High Court had advised the State to constitute a committee of doctors to examine the hospitals run by the city government to come up with a solution. These directions were issued by the Court while considering a PIL initiated by it on its own in 2017 concerning the issue of the non-availability of ICU beds and ventilator facilities in government hospitals in Delhi.

Consequently, the Delhi HC on February 13 formed a six-member committee of experts to evaluate and improve the medical facilities run by the State Government and Municipal Corporation of Delhi. The Committee recently submitted its Interim Report listing measures to fill up the vacant posts of Senior & Junior Residents, Specialists, GDMOs, Nursing Staff and Technicians.

Also Read: Improvement of health infrastructure at Delhi Govt, MCD Hospitals: HC sets up 6-member committee

Based on the HC directive, the committee filed its report with recommendations to improve the medical services in Delhi.

Also Read:What’s wrong with Delhi’s Health infrastructure? Status report in High Court

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Renowned plastic surgeon Dr Sam Chandra Bose passes away at 95

Madurai: In an unfortunate incident, Dr Sam Chandra Bose, a renowned plastic surgeon passed away in Madurai at a private hospital on Friday at the age of 95. 

He died due to lung infection and age-related illnesses and breathed his last at a private hospital on April 5. The body was present at his residence in KK Nagar, Madurai from noon on Sunday, April 7, as confirmed by family members.  

A funeral service is scheduled to take place at CSI Cathedral Church, Narimedu on April 8, with burial to follow at Thathaneri. Dr Bose is survived by his two daughters Anuradha Bose and Renu Bose and his son Vinod Bose.  

Also read- Renowned Genetic Medicine Specialist, Padma Shri Awardee Dr IC Verma No More

Dr Bose is considered one of the pioneers of plastic surgery in the country. He was born on April 4, 1929, in Nagercoil, Kanniyakumari district. He completed his MBBS from Madras Medical College, Chennai in 1953, MS – General Surgery from Madras Medical College, Chennai in 1960 and MCh – Plastic Surgery from Nagpur University. in 1967.

In 1961, Dr Bose transferred to Madurai Medical College and established the Department of Plastic Surgery in 1964. As per The Hindu news report, Dr Bose played a key role in raising awareness about the field of plastic surgery single-handedly, especially in response to the numerous burn cases documented in the area.  

A dedicated surgeon, Bose also trained hundreds of plastic surgeons in Madurai and was instrumental in making the plastic surgery department of Madurai Medical College one of the top in the country.  

The students and colleagues who had the chance to meet Dr Bose during reunion gatherings greatly admired and respected him.   

Also read- Renowned Paediatrician, Founder Of Paediatrics Department At MOSC Medical College Hospital Passes Away At 93

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Meet Clostridium butyricum—the bacteria that helps keep us feeling our best

Our friend here, Clostridium butyricum (also known as C butyricum), is one of the hardest working microbes living in our gut. Without its exhaustive work, we might find ourselves constantly feeling a little under the weather.

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France to fine patients who miss medical appointments

France is to introduce a five euro ($5.50) penalty for people who fail to turn up for millions of doctors’ appointments missed each year, the prime minister said Saturday.

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Traditional Japanese diet associated with less brain shrinkage in women compared to Western diet, says research

Cognitive decline and dementia already affect more than 55 million people worldwide. This number is projected to skyrocket over the next few decades as the global population ages.

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Stopping aspirin 1 month after coronary stenting significantly reduces bleeding complications in heart attack patients

Withdrawing aspirin one month after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in high-risk heart patients and keeping them on ticagrelor alone safely improves outcomes and reduces major bleeding by more than half when compared to patients taking aspirin and ticagrelor combined (also known as dual antiplatelet therapy or DAPT), which is the current standard of care.

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Short-term incentives for exercise can lead to sustained increases in activity

Adults with heart disease risks who received daily reminders or incentives to become more active increased their daily steps by more than 1,500 after a year, and many were still sticking with their new habit six months later, according to a study supported by the National Institutes of Health that published in Circulation. The findings were simultaneously presented as late-breaking research at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Session.

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Gland Pharma bags USFDA nod for breast cancer treatment injection Eribulin Mesylate

Hyderabad: Gland Pharma Limited, a generic injectable-focused
pharmaceutical company, has received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for Eribulin Mesylate Injection, 0.5 mg/mL Single Dose Vial (Product).

Eribulin Mesylate Injection is used for the treatment of breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

“The Product is expected to be the first generic approval on the market, and the Company expects to launch
this product in the near term through its marketing partner,” Gland Pharma stated.


The Product has US sales of approximately USD 92 million for twelve months ending in February 2024,
according to IQVIA.


The Company is co-developing several complex injectables, including this Product, with Orbicular
Pharmaceutical Technologies Private Limited.

Read also: Gland Pharma bags tentative USFDA nod for Angiotensin II Injection for low BP treatment

Gland Pharma was established in 1978 in Hyderabad and has grown over the years from a contract
manufacturer of small-volume liquid parenteral products to become injectable-focused
companies, with a global footprint across 60 countries, including the United States, Europe, Canada,
Australia, India, and other markets. It operates primarily under a business-to-business (B2B) model. It has a
wide range of injectables, including vials, ampoules, pre-filled syringes, lyophilized vials, dry powders,
infusions, oncology, and ophthalmic solutions.
Read also: Gland Pharma names Ankit Gupta as Vice-President (Strategy and Investments)

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Fire breaks out at Nair Dental College Hostel building, no casualties reported

Mumbai: A fire broke out in a room on the 10th floor of the Nair Hospital and Dental College hostel building in Mumbai Central on Saturday evening. 

The fire was confined to electric wiring, installations, a bed, wooden cupboard books, and clothes in a room situated on the 10th floor. 

Nobody was injured in the incident as the blaze remained confined to electric wiring and other fitments and was put out within 20 minutes. 

According to a PTI news report, The Fire Brigade official said, “The blaze erupted at around 6.44 pm and was mainly confined to electric wiring, installations, a bed, wooden cupboard, books, and clothes in a room situated on the 10th floor of the 11-storey hostel building, situated opposite Maratha Mandir”.

Also Read:Maha: BYL Nair hospital first in state to get dedicated cadaver laboratory

He said the fire was extinguished by people at around 7:05 pm before the arrival of fire brigade personnel after cutting off electricity, the official added.

Quick action from individuals within the building contributed to extinguishing the fire before the arrival of the fire brigade personnel. By cutting off the electricity supply, occupants managed to bring the situation under control by approximately 7:05 pm.

Also Read:Mumbai: Nair Hospital Resident Doctors raise voice against stipend disparity

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