Wardha: In a distressing incident, two doctors who were sent to Pulgaon Rural Hospital in Maharashtra's Wardha district due to the absence of a doctor on an emergency basis were allegedly found examining a child while in an inebriated condition.
The doctors were reported to be “reeking of alcohol” on duty and police authorities recovered a bottle containing approximately 180ml of leftover liquor from their car. A video of the incident went viral on social media.
Based on complaints from the family members of the child, the police have booked the two doctors under various sections of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act. Moreover, an inquiry has also been initiated against them.
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The shocking incident came to light after a child suffering from fever was brought to the hospital by her family members on Thursday. However, there were no doctors available at the hospital. The nurses refused to administer medicines to the child due to the absence of doctors.
Seeing no option available for their child treatment, the family members contacted local social worker Ankush Koche who called up district civil surgeon Dr Sachin Tadas seeking doctors availability. Following this, Dr Sachin sent two doctors to the hospital.
Upon reaching the hospital, the doctors were allegedly found in an intoxicated state by the family members. Furious about finding the doctors drunk, the family members along with others protested at the hospital and alerted the Wardha police control room.
Social worker Ankush Koche told TOI, “The doctors were under the influence of alcohol. What is also shocking is that this happened in Wardha which is a dry district. A liquor bottle too was found in the car in which the doctors had arrived." He also said that Pulgaon Rural Hospital reels under a shortage of doctors and often functions without doctors.
Taking cognizance of the incident, Deputy Director of Health Services Dr Kanchan Wanere said, "An inquiry has been initiated under the assistant director of medical services Dr Pramod Gavai. We are waiting for the report to initiate further action."
Dr Gavai, who visited the rural hospital on Sunday, said, "We will inquire into allegations. Let police find out whether the two doctors were under the influence of alcohol."
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