Bharatpur doctor flags faulty scan machines; resigns after govt shunts him out

Jaipur : A senior resident radiologist at govt-run RBM Hospital in Bharatpur resigned from the post Monday, within hours of being removed from his post after he lodged a protest against malfunctioning sonography machines, which he said were delaying treatment and putting patients at risk.Dr Harcharan, a senior resident, told TOI that he tendered his resignation from the post and was ready to pay Rs 25 lakh to the govt for not completing the mandatory two-year term in a govt hospital as per the bond he signed at the start of service.Dr Harcharan had staged a sit-in on June 18 alleging that two of the hospital’s three sonography machines, purchased around six months ago, were faulty despite repeated complaints.

He claimed patients were facing week-long waits, unclear scan reports and delayed treatment, with some being pushed to private facilities.Following the protest, the RBM Hospital medical superintendent constituted an inquiry committee on June 18. SJP Medical College principal Dr Vivek Bhardwaj said Dr Haricharan was relieved on June 19 with immediate effect and placed on awaiting posting orders at the Directorate of Medical Education, Rajasthan, Jaipur, so ensure that an inquiry is not influenced.

In an official order, Dr Bhardwaj said Dr Harcharan held a protest outside the sonography department and “tarnished” the department’s “dignified image”. The order accused him of making “inappropriate and objectionable” public remarks against the medical administration and competent authority, affecting hospital discipline, functioning and reputation.The RAJMES Resident Doctors Association, Bharatpur, criticised the action, saying Dr Harcharan had raised a public-interest concern at a time when patients need better health services.

Its president, Dr Zakir Khan, said shifting him out could leave RBM Hospital with only one radiologist, further straining sonography services and hurting poor patients the most.Earlier in the day the association had demanded Dr Harcharan’s immediate and respectful reinstatement at RBM Hospital and urgent strengthening of radiology and sonography services. However, Harcharan resigned just hours after being shunted out for flagging gaps in the system.