BS RAWAT
NEW DELHI: Three doctors of the Dr Ram Manohar Lohiya Hospital in Delhi have already proceeded on leave to facilitate an independent investigation after a case of abetting suicide was registered against them. Dr Yashvant Singh, senior CMO (SAG) has been appointed as the new head of the Radio-Diagnosis Department.

Dr (Prof) U.C. Garg, (consultant and head of the department), Dr Anil Taneja, (consultant and professor) and Dr Shibani Mehra,(senior specialist and professor) were named in the suicide note of Dr Poonam Vohra who was looking into a complaint made by a junior doctor against her senior.

The junior doctor had alleged that bias against her had spoiled her Annual Confidential Report (ACR) and Dr Vohra was the head of the ACR committee and two of the three doctors mentioned in her suicide note are members.

Meanwhile, the administration of the hospital has asked its staffers not to speak to the media on any issues pertaining to Dr Vohra’s suicide, warning them of disciplinary action if the directive is violated.

Earlier, Ms Preeti Sudan, Union Health Secretary, told DTMT, “Based on the report, the government will take action against the three doctors who were named in the suicide note of Dr Poonam Vohra. The government has the option to suspend them or eventually arrest them if charges against them are ultimately proved.”

The allegations against three doctors of the Radiology Department were serious, Ms Sudan added.

Ms Sudan was at the inauguration of ‘India Showcase Event' as part of the preparatory meeting of the sixth Global Fund replenishment in New Delhi on February 8, 2019.