AP Govt replaces Principal of SVMC; JUDAs call off protest

Tirupati: The Junior doctors have called off their protest following the removal of Dr N V Ramanaiah as Principal of S V Medical College and transfer of HoD of Paediatrics Dr P Ravi Kumar to AC Subba Reddy Medical College, Nellore.

The Director of Medical Education issued orders to this effect following instructions from the Medical and Health depart based on the suggestions made by the high-power committee which completed its inquiry into the factors which led to medico Shilpa committing suicide on Tuesday.

Earlier on Wednesday the junior doctors skipped classes at SVMC and boyc otted duties at Ruia Medical College demanding action against the Professors who allegedly harassed Shilpa. The JUDAs have now decided to resume their duties from 8 am on Thursday.

Principal Dr NV Ramanaiah was removed from the post and HoD of Community Medicine Dr G Ravi Prabhu was appointed as the new Principal of S V Medical College. However, Dr Ramanaiah will continue as Professor in General Surgery department of SVMC. 

The HoD of Paediatrics Dr P Ravi Kumar who was already under suspension was transferred to AC Subba Reddy Medical College, Nellore, while the suspension continues on him. Since it is a relatively new college and as no PG courses are there he cannot deal with PG students. It was also decided to keep him away from the duties of examiner for UG courses for 5 years even after his suspension is revoked. 

Simultaneously, he has to face the legal actions based on the sections under which he was booked. The two other Professors who are facing allegations Dr Sasikumar and Dr AS Kireeti were also transferred to the Nellore college with immediate effect.  

On Wednesday, the high-power committee led by the Director of Medical Education (DME) Dr K Babji, Kurnool Medical College Superintendent Dr Chandrasekhar and Dr Shamseth Begum of OBG dept from Anantapur conducted an inquiry at the medical college for the whole day. The committee was appointed by Principal Secretary (Health) Poonam Malakondaiah.

From medicos side, Dr M Venkataramana, Dr Lavanya, Dr Vamsi Krishna, Dr Surya and others participated. Student leaders and colleagues of Dr Shilpa who committed suicide on Tuesday submitted their demands in writing to the committee. Later, the committee members met PG and UG students separately and took note of their opinions. They have to submit the report within 24 hours to the Principal Secretary.

Before, the high-power committee began its proceedings, Municipal Corporation Commissioner V Vijayarama Raju held a meeting with the faculty of SVMC and JUDA leaders in which Joint Collector–II V Chandramouli and Tirupati RDO G Narasimhulu also participated. 

As directed by Collector P S Pradyumna, the Commissioner and other officials also held discussions till midnight on Tuesday to convince the medicos to resume their duties. But the discussions turned futile as the agitating students stuck to their guns. 

It is learnt that one of the main demands of medicos is the termination of Paediatrics HoD Dr P Ravikumar from the services though he faces legal proceedings simultaneously.

They also want demotion of two other accused Dr Sasikumar and Dr A S Kireeti from the post of Professors and their transfer to any other medical college. The agitating medicos have also been demanding action against the Principal as they claim that he did not take any action on the accused though Dr Shilpa had complained about the harassment. 

However, Principal Dr N V Ramanaiah has been maintaining that Shilpa never gave them a written complaint and sent a mail directly to the Governor following which two enquiries were conducted. 

While one enquiry was conducted by the committee of the college faculty and Principal himself the other was one led by RDO, Tirupati in which four other members were there. 

JUDA leaders were claiming that the reports were manipulated and reportedly asked the high-power committee to show the written statements of the respondents who came before those committees.

Meanwhile, Women associations like AIDWA and others entered the scene and demanded action against those responsible for the harassment of Dr Shilpa. State Women’s commission Chairperson N Rajakumari also visited SVMC on Wednesday evening and held discussions with medicos. 

She said that action will be initiated after enquiry is completed. “However, no one should commit suicide in any case. What can they achieve by committing suicide? Instead they should live and fight for justice,” she told the medicos. 

The parents of Dr Shilpa also reached SVMC in the evening and participated in dharna. They were supposed to meet the high-power committee to explain their observations.