A probe has been ordered by the central health ministry into the alleged practice of senior doctors forcing junior doctors to pay for their food bills at MP Shah Medical College, Jamnagar. The issue came to light after screenshots of WhatsApp chats showing huge amounts of money spent on food by resident doctors of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Ob-Gyn) department went viral on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The chats revealed that junior doctors were expected to pay up to 50% of their stipend to cover the food expenses of their seniors.
The matter reached Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, who asked the Gujarat health department to investigate the situation. The medical college launched a three-tier inquiry into the matter, which took place during the Uttarayan festival. The college administration also introduced a new protocol to prevent such incidents in the future.
Dean Dr Nandini Desai said that the food bill of the Ob-Gyn department, which was pending for more than three months, was discussed for its reduction. She claimed that the social media posts were based on a ‘misunderstanding’ among the resident doctors.
The Head of the Ob-Gyn department conducted a preliminary inquiry and found no evidence of coercion. A three-member committee of senior professors also reached the same conclusion, saying that the food bill cycle was a common practice that happened every year with the arrival of new first-year resident doctors.
However, it was interesting to note that this practice was prevalent in only two departments until last year. It stopped in one department, leaving the Ob-Gyn department as the only one to continue it.
The Junior Doctors Association (JDA) participated in the College Council meeting on Monday, where they raised their grievances with the first-year residents. The Council formed a committee to collect anonymous feedback and suggestions from the doctors. The committee, consisting of leaders from the medical college, GG General Hospital, and Saurashtra University, will formulate future policies. The findings of the inquiry will be sent to the Gujarat health department.
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