HOD on leave amid probe into suicide attempt

The attempted suicide of a 28-year-old female resident doctor at a government hospital has triggered a storm of protests and condemnations.

- Vikrant Jha

In light of ongoing inquiries by the hospital and state-authorities, one of the hospital's department heads has been temporarily relieved of her duties, and the United Doctors Front (UDF) has written to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis demanding urgent criminal action against her.

The third-year postgraduate student, who is currently in the hospital's intensive care unit, reportedly ingested a poisonous substance on July 16 after enduring months of alleged “relentless harassment” by her senior.

The UDF's letter to Fadnavis described the incident as a “symptom of institutionalised cruelty and neglect” and added, “This tragedy highlights a toxic crisis in our medical institutions, demanding your immediate action to deliver justice and protect our doctors.”