‘Do kaudi ke doctor’: Remark by additional collector triggers outrage in Chhattisgarh; doctors stage protest in Raipur, demand apology, inquiry, and reforms

RAIPUR: Three prominent doctors' organisations — Junior Doctors' Association (JDA), Chhattisgarh Doctors' Federation (CGDF), and CIDA — held a joint protest in Raipur on Saturday late evening.

They submitted a detailed memorandum to the state health minister condemning the alleged misbehaviour and insulting remarks made by an additional collector against a senior lady doctor at Narayanpur District Hospital.

The organisations stated that the use of objectionable words like "do kaudi ke doctor" (worthless doctor) not only undermined the dignity of the medical profession but also deeply insulted women. This incident caused widespread anger among doctors across the state.

The organisations' primary demands include a public apology from the concerned official, an impartial inquiry into the incident, and assurance of disciplinary action. They also seek clear guidelines for the respect, dignity, and safety of doctors at their workplaces, priority for doctors in the allotment of F-type accommodation, and proposals for administrative reforms.

The organisations proposed several administrative reforms, such as limiting inspections of health institutions to IAS officers, having health nodal positions and review meetings led only by senior administrative officials, and ensuring complaints related to doctors are investigated only by health department officials (CMHO/CS).

They also requested that collectors be instructed to ensure respectful behaviour towards doctors and that no repressive action be taken against doctors participating in peaceful protests.

Dr Resham Singh, President, JDA, Dr Heera Singh, President, CGDF, and Dr Piyush Srivastava issued a joint statement condemning the incident. They urged the state govt to intervene and take immediate action.

Dr A S Chauhan, spokesperson, CIDA, stated that the govt has been formally informed about the matter through correspondence. He added that if satisfactory action is not taken quickly, organisations across the state may be compelled to suspend their services.

The three organisations emphasised that this issue concerns the dignity and safety of the entire medical community, which cannot be ignored.

Meanwhile, Narayanpur district collector Pratishtha Mamgain told TOI that the complaint was received on June 19, and the alleged incident may have occurred three to four days prior.

“I constituted an inquiry headed by the Narayanpur district panchayat CEO, who is herself a doctor. Initially, the complainant and other doctors posted at the district hospital were reluctant to cooperate and also stalled the OPD work, affecting poor patients seeking treatment. Now that the complainant has begun cooperating, we are hopeful the issue will be resolved soon," the district collector said.