Hyderabad: Self-immolation bid by Gandhi doctor stokes furore

Hyderabad: The Telangana health department has grabbed news headlines for all the wrong reasons on Tuesday.

Disciplinary action against a doctor from Gandhi Hospital has led to self-immolation threat by the said doctor, allegations of corruption that would put multicrore ESI scam to shame, senior officials justifying their decision and lastly the medical JAC extending full support to Dr Vasanth Kumar, who was surrendered from Directorate of Medical Education wing (teaching hospitals side) to Directorate of Public Health (that runs PHCs) for abusing and misbehaving with superiors at Gandhi.

Dr Vasanth created a flutter on hospital premises by turning up with petrol bottles wrapped inside his waist belt and holding lighter in his hand. By keeping the lighter very close to his waist, he threatened to immolate self if anyone came near him.

When asked what made him decide on taking such an extreme step, the doctor said that there was no purpose to live as he was discriminated for speaking truth and questioning irregularities.

He said he met Health Minister Eatala Rajender on Tuesday morning seeking his intervention to revoke the surrender but did not get a concrete assurance.

He alleged that Gandhi Superintendent indulged in serious corruption in awarding sanitation and security contracts, focused on his private practice and comes late to Superintendent duties.

The doctor alleged that the DME was hand in glove with Superintendent and ignored irregularities.

Whoever raised voice or questioned actions in Gandhi Hospital, they will be targeted and harassed, the doctor said pointing out to his own case.

Giving clarity on rumours that he was behind rumours of two positive coronavirus cases in Gandhi recently, he said that he did not give leaks to anyone.

Rubbishing Dr Vasanth's allegations, DME Ramesh Reddy said that the said doctor was earlier cautioned after receiving complaints that he was resorting to blackmail tactics against doctors and shops in the hospital premises.

Dr Reddy wanted to know why Vasanth did not bring corruption allegations to his notice but raising now just to play a victim card. The surrender decision was taken by Gandhi Superintendent and he just ratified, the DME said.

"What Dr Vasanth did was unpardonable. How can he bring petrol bottles to a place like a hospital that is flocked by patients every day? A police case has been lodged to file a criminal case against the doctor. Director of Public Health will conduct an enquiry into Vasanth's issue and frame charges," the DME said.

Meanwhile, in an urgent meeting convened to discuss fresh developments, the Medical JAC comprising doctors and staff from all wings under the Health department has decided to rally behind Dr Vasanth.

Dr Bongu Ramesh, Dr Putla Srinivas and Dr B Narahari faulted action against the doctor without seeking an explanation from him.

Stating that Dr Vasanth has been targeted unfairly, they demanded no cases should be filed. Medical JAC demanded a complete probe into corruption allegations made by Dr Vasanth.

Alert cops rescue doctor…

Hyderabad: Mild tension prevailed in Gandhi Hospital on Tuesday when a doctor by name Vasanth Kumar has attempted self-immolation on premises. Tied with petrol bottles around his stomach under the shirt and by holding the lighter in his right hand, the doctor created panic in the premises due to which the patients and the staff faced problems for more than two hours. When the staff, media and police tried to reach closer to him, he threatened to self-immolate himself. Later, Chilkalguda police overpowered and rescued him by snatching the lighter and pouring water on him.

Based on the complaint of Gandhi Hospital Superintendent Dr Sravan Kumar, police registered a nuisance case and took up investigation. Meanwhile, City Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar awarded Chilkalguda Inspector AC Balagangi Reddy and his team with cash reward of Rs 10,000 for rescuing Dr Vasanth Kumar. The police foiled his suicide attempt in protest against the attitude of the administration and senior officials of the Health department. Dr Vasanth was earlier surrendered to the Directorate of Health on allegations of resorting to rumours of coronovirus positive cases in the hospital.