1-11-2023 (NEW DELHI) A junior doctor at a hospital in Indore, India, has been suspended after a video of him slapping and berating an HIV-positive patient went viral on social media. The incident occurred at Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital, where the 45-year-old patient was admitted for a fractured leg and other injuries sustained in a road accident.
The video, which has already garnered close to a million views on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), shows the doctor, identified as Dr. Akash Kaushal by The Times of India, slapping the patient multiple times while he lies on a gurney. The reason for the doctor’s anger, according to the newspaper, was the patient’s failure to disclose his HIV-positive status.
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) can be transmitted through infected blood and other means, leading to AIDS, a condition that weakens the immune system and makes individuals more susceptible to opportunistic infections.
In addition to physically assaulting the patient, the doctor also berated the patient’s relatives when they tried to intervene. Dr. Pramendra Thakur, the hospital superintendent, confirmed that Dr. Kaushal, who worked in the orthopedic department, has been suspended. A three-member panel has been formed to investigate the incident, and further action will be taken based on the investigation report.
The video sparked public outrage and ignited a discussion about how hospitals should handle HIV-positive patients. App developer Binu Daniel expressed his disapproval, stating, “Absolutely unjustifiable. Dealing with HIV requires awareness, not a heavy-handed approach. Patients should be educated, so they feel encouraged to disclose their condition more openly in the future.”
Divya Gandotra Tandon, the head of an NGO for women and children, provided a nuanced perspective, suggesting that the doctor’s reaction may be partially justifiable due to concerns about the health of other resident doctors. However, she emphasized that he should have handled the situation calmly and informed senior staff.
This Viral vedio from ‘MY Hospital’ in Indore, Madhya Pradesh,
in Which A patient endure scolding and slaps from doctors
★★★★
Clarifications ;
Patient was suffering from STD ,But he tried to hide it from all and put the lives of all health workers in danger.#MedTwitter pic.twitter.com/8YXtpJpcfP— Indian Doctor???????? (@Indian__doctor) October 29, 2023
