Future ragging complaints will be viewed very seriously, action may be taken: NMC warns SVNGMC

NEW DELHI: The National Medical Commission (NMC) warned Shri Vasantrao Naik Government Medical College, Yavatmal, Maharashtra that future ragging complaints by students will be viewed “very seriously” and said that the ragging case of a first year PG student could have been handled in a better way. The commission suggested the college to conduct an on the spot enquiry, provide moral support to students, and other actions which could have been taken.

NMC issued an order to the college regarding the alleged ragging of Anmol Bhambhani, first year student of MS general surgery whose mother filed a complaint alleging that the junior residents were subjected to physical and mental assault by senior students as a result of which Bhambhani developed a disease and had to undergo a surgery.

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“However, an advisory should be issued to the college to the effect that any future complaints of similar nature will be viewed very seriously by the commission and action as per regulation 18 of the National Medical Commission (Prevention and Prohibition of Ragging in Medical Colleges and institutions) regulation, 2021, may be taken by the commission,” NMC warned.

NMC suggested the college to take the following actions:

• The anonymous complaint received in the college on the similar issue would have been taken seriously by thoroughly investigating the allegations made in complaint including on the spot or on site enquiry instead of just taking the written and oral statements of JR-1.
• Mentoring and providing moral support to the junior students including the complainant and keeping the complainant informed of the action taken on the complaint.

Ragging of junior residents

According to the complaint filed on August 23, 2022, JR-1 were not allowed to go to their hostel rooms despite no Out Patient Delivery (OPD) work and as a result they could not get proper sleep or cleaning. The junior residents were kept standing by JR-3 all night and were made to write reports while stooping on low tables. If any JR-1 was found sleeping, the JR-3 students used to pull their hair and throw water on their face. Further, JR-1 students were threatened with denial of entry to operation theatres, learning of surgical skills, and of failure in internal exams etc. if they raised complaints against JR-3, as per the complaint.

Bhambhani’s mother, Juhi Bhambhani alleged that due to ragging, her son developed cellulitis in his left which turned into varicose veins for which he undertook EndoVascular Laser Ablation (EVLA) surgery on June 9. She also submitted a complaint to the anti-ragging cell and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences.

The college took immediate action and suspended five accused from clinical and educational duties. However, the anti-ragging committee of the college did not find strong evidence of ragging and the case was closed without informing the student. The suspension of five JR-3 was also revoked. MUHS also formed an independent anti-ragging committee which visited the college but did not find any proof of ragging. The university disposed of the complaint and submitted a resolution containing instructions for a better work environment to avoid ragging incidents.

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NMC added that a similar complaint was filed before Bhambhani’s complaint. The complaint spread on social media and was discussed in the anti-ragging committee of NMC on October 12, 2022. The committee held a meeting with the college dean and Bhambhani and was not satisfied with the actions taken by the college. On NMC’s directions, a three member team lead by Yoginder Malik, member of Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) was formed and visited the college. The team met all MS students taking their views on ragging.

“The students were of the view that earlier the working environment was toxic but now the conditions have improved,” said NMC. The team also met Juhi Bhambhani who said she was happy with the improvements after her complaint and said that she didn’t want to take any action against JR-3 students.

NMC’s anti-ragging committee accepted the report submitted by the team in its meeting held on December 30, 2022. “Accordingly, Shri Vasantrao Naik Government Medical College, Yavatmal, Maharashtra, is directed to ensure that Dr Anmol Bhambhani is not discriminated for raising ragging complaint and also make the working conditions of the students more conducive and any future complaints of ragging from the students of college will be viewed very seriously by the commission,” NMC further stated.