‘Strong action must be taken’

The rape of a 30-year-old woman by a doctor at a Vashi hospital on Saturday night has shocked the medical fraternity.

The rape of a 30-year-old woman by a doctor at a Vashi hospital on Saturday night has shocked the medical fraternity.

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“Like all doctors, I am shocked and saddened to read about this incident. If proved true, this can cause irreparable damage to the image of the medical profession,” Dr Aniruddha Malpani, an IVF specialist, said.

“The doctor-patient relationship is based on trust. This gets damaged because of such doctors; and I trust that we will be able to prevent such episodes from happening again.”
Medico-legal experts said the law had adequate provisions for such cases. “A complaint has to be brought before the Medical Council and an enquiry will be conducted.

Either the doctor will be suspended permanently or for a specified period, depending on the case. The decision has to be taken within six months, during which the council may bar him from practice,” said Dr Suganthi Iyer, medico-legal expert, Hinduja Hospital.

What has surprised doctors most is how Dr Vishal Vanne was not caught in the act.
“There are always doctors, nurses and other staff looking in on patients in the ICU. I’m surprised no one was around when the incident took place,” said Dr Duru Shah, a gynaecologist.

Doctors feel medical councils must take action.

“The accused is an Ayurveda doctor... therefore the Ayurvedic council should take action against him,” said Dr Bakul Mehta, president, Indian Medical Association, Maharashtra.