Mumbai: Over 40 resident doctors from the Paediatrics Department of Mumbai’s JJ Hospital staged a protest on the hospital campus, demanding the immediate transfer of the Head of Department (HOD). They stated that they will continue their protest until their demand is met. The doctors alleged that prolonged harassment by the HOD drove a third-year resident to attempt suicide.
According to a statement issued by the protesting doctors, on July 16, 2025, a third-year paediatrics resident attempted to end her life by consuming Lorazepam tablets. Her colleagues found her in time and rushed her to the casualty ward. She is currently stable and under observation in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU).
The residents claim that the young doctor faced “exceptional harassment and discrimination” at the hands of the HOD, who was also her postgraduate guide and local guardian. They allege she was routinely belittled, humiliated in front of patients’ relatives, and unfairly targeted since the beginning of her residency.
In their statement, the residents said the mental harassment intensified over the past three months, when the resident was allegedly threatened with being barred from appearing for her MD final examinations. Desperate, she is said to have sent a message to the HOD the day before the incident, expressing her deteriorating mental health and pleading for help — but her plea was allegedly ignored.
Dr Mahesh Tidke, President of the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) at Grant Government Medical College and JJ Group of Hospitals, said that the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) will continue its investigation on Monday.
“We are waiting for the outcome of the DMER probe. However, we have decided to continue our protest until the HOD is transferred,” said Dr Tidke, adding that there are multiple complaints, including extreme mental torture, threats of failing students, and inappropriate remarks, among others.
Following complaints from students after the incident, Dr Ajay Bhandarwar, Dean of JJ Hospital and Medical College, has temporarily appointed Dr Chhaya Valvi as the new Head of the Department of Paediatrics. Dr Valvi, a professor in the same department, will take charge from the outgoing HOD.
The change came into effect immediately and will continue until further notice, according to an official order dated July 18, 2025. The move is said to be for administrative reasons.
Meanwhile, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, seeking urgent attention and action regarding the sensitive situation at Sir JJ Hospital, Byculla.
According to FAIMA, the resident doctors have made specific demands to the concerned authorities, and FAIMA has expressed full support for their call for a safe, respectful, and supportive working environment.
Resident doctors informed that despite their protest, doctors are available at ICU, emergency ward and handling emergency cases at OPD.
