A shocking incident has taken place in Surat’s New Civil Hospital. A resident doctor committed suicide by hanging himself in the boys’ hostel in the campus. Due to this incident, a wave of mourning has spread throughout the hospital. On receiving information from the Minister of Health, a committee was constituted. Four senior resident doctors were suspended for six months, while four others were served show-cause notices, following a committee report that revealed allegations of ragging.
Harsh Pandya, 29, a resident of Modasa in Gujarat’s Aravalli district, was a first-year postgraduate student and resident doctor in the Department of Microbiology at Surat’s New Civil Hospital. Harsh did not report for duty on Saturday. Senior doctors tried to contact him on his mobile phone, but his phone was switched off. Subsequently, another resident doctor was sent to room number 1005 in PG Hostel. The door was locked from inside. Despite repeated calls, there was no response. Security personnel broke down the door. The scene inside the room caused an uproar. Dr. Harsh’s body was found hanging from the ceiling fan. On coming to know about the incident, senior officials reached the spot and informed the police.
On learning of this incident, Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansaria immediately Dr. Ordered the formation of an inquiry committee to investigate the reasons behind Harsh’s suicide and submit an immediate report. Health Minister Praful Pansaria directly contacted the deceased doctor’s father on phone, consoled him and assured him of due justice. The committee was also instructed by the health minister to investigate whether there was any ragging on the deceased doctor. Further, a thorough investigation was ordered as to whether they were being harassed or tortured in any way.