Page 4 - Doctors

Doctor charged in Matthew Perry's death admits guilt over Ketamine supply

Although Dr Chavez has reached a plea agreement with prosecutors, he faces a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years when he is scheduled for sentencing on April 2, 2025

Doctor charged in Matthew Perry's death case expected to plead guilty

One of two doctors charged in the investigation of the death of Matthew Perry is expected to plead guilty on Wednesday in a federal court in Los Angeles to conspiring to distribute the surgical anesthetic ketamine. Dr. Mark Chavez, 54, of San Diego, signed a plea agreement with prosecutors in August and would be the third person to plead guilty in the aftermath of the Friends star's fatal overdose last year. Prosecutors offered lesser charges to Chavez and two others in exchange for their cooperation as they go after two targets they deem more responsible for the overdose death: another doctor and an alleged dealer that they say was known as ketamine queen of Los Angeles. Chavez is free on bond after turning over his passport and surrendering his medical license, among other conditions. His lawyer Matthew Binninger said after Chavez's first court appearance on August 30 that he is incredibly remorseful and is trying to do everything in his power to right the wrong that happened ...

Junior medics resume cease work, crippling West Bengal's healthcare

Junior doctors in West Bengal resumed an indefinite 'total cease work' on Tuesday, escalating protests over the state government's "failure" to address key demands including enhanced hospital security, a day after the Supreme Court emphasised the need for medics to perform essential duties. The junior doctors in West Bengal had partially resumed duties on September 21 after a 42-day protest over the rape and murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College on August 9. Following an all-night governing body meeting, they have resumed their strike on Tuesday just ahead of Durga Puja, crippling medical services across the state. Despite the state's acknowledgement of two demands - establishing a State-Level Redressal Committee and reconstitution of Patient Welfare Committees at hospitals by Tuesday evening - junior doctors deemed these measures insufficient. As junior doctors resumed their agitation ahead of Durga Puja, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in a veiled appeal to the medic

Kolkata doctor case: Junior doctors resume strike; know why

After junior doctors had resumed partial duties on September 21, they have once again announced to go back to complete stoppage of work.

Draft norms on passive euthanasia can expose doctors to legal scrutiny

Bold step, but doctors may be concerned over increased legal scrutiny, say experts

Govt preventing us from organising convention on Sept 27: Junior docs

The West Bengal Junior Doctors' Front on Wednesday alleged that the state government has taken back its permission to allow them to hold a convention on September 27 to discuss the future roadmap for their movement for justice for the RG Kar rape-murder victim. The agitating medics withdrewn their 11-day sit-in before state health department headquarters Swasthya Bhawan last week and partially rejoined emergency and essential services at state-run hospitals after talks with the state government. However, on Wednesday, after a meeting with representatives from 26 state-run and private medical colleges, the medics alleged that false cases have been slapped against those who have expressed solidarity with their movement and joined democratic protests demanding the "clean-up" of the healthcare system and arrest of all those involved in the crime. "The administration is apparently pursuing a vindictive attitude even after we showed intention and flexibility to end the deadlock. Over one

Delhi govt introduces mandatory one-year service bond for medical graduates

Delhi government has introduced a one-year mandatory service bond for medical students passing out from All India Quota and State Quota in both undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) programs from medical institutions in Delhi. Under this new regulation, students graduating from undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including super-speciality programs, will be required to serve for one year in medical institutions under the Government of the National Capital Territory (GNCT) of Delhi, according to the order issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department of the Delhi Government (GNCTD). At the time of admission, UG students will have to furnish a bond of Rs 15 lakh, while PG and super-specialty students will submit a bond of Rs 20 lakh. These bonds will be forfeited if a student opts out of the mandatory service period, as stated in the GNCTD order. The scheme will ensure that UG pass-outs are placed in Junior Resident (JR) positions, while PG pass-outs will be assigned Senio

Boundary walls to washrooms: Odisha issues new safety policy for doctors

In response to the Kolkata rape and murder case, the Odisha government has introduced new safety measures at hospitals, colleges, and hostels

Agitating doctors write to President Murmu, PM Modi over RG Kar impasse

Agitating junior doctors in West Bengal have written to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting their intervention in the RG Kar hospital impasse. Copies of the four-page letter written by the West Bengal Junior Doctors' Front were also sent to Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Union Health Minister J P Nadda. A post-graduate trainee was raped and murdered in state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. Junior doctors have been on a 'cease work' since then. "We humbly place the issues before your esteemed excellency, as the head of state, so that our unfortunate colleague who has been the victim of the most despicable crime shall receive justice, and so that we, the healthcare professionals under the West Bengal Health department, may be able to discharge our duties to the public without fear and apprehension. "Your intervention in these trying times will act as a beacon of light to us all, showing us the way ahead out of the darkness t

Medic's rape-murder: SC to hear RG Kar hospital incident case on Monday

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday the case related to the murder and alleged rape of a junior doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. According to the cause list uploaded on the apex court's website, a bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra is slated to hear on September 9 the case, which was initiated by the top court on its own. The Centre has recently filed an application in the apex court alleging "unpardonable" non-cooperation by the West Bengal government in extending logistical support to the CISF, tasked with providing security at the hospital. In its application, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has termed the alleged non-cooperation of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government as an example "symptomatic of a systemic malaise" and sought a direction to the state authorities to extend full cooperation to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). In case of their failure to do so, the Centre h

Resume work, leave justice to SC: IMA chief Asokan to protesting doctors

Amid continued protests by medics following the R G Kar rape-murder incident, Indian Medical Association president Dr R V Asokan on Wednesday urged all doctors to resume work, leaving the job of delivering justice to the Supreme Court. In a statement, he said the rape and murder of the trainee postgraduate woman doctor at the West Bengal government-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital has moved the nation's conscience. "The anger and frustration of the entire nation is over the fact that she happened to be a budding doctor as well as that she was the only girl child of lower-middle-class parents. The entire nation has adopted her as their daughter," the IMA chief said. Referring to the protests by doctors across the country, Dr Asokan said the medical fraternity was "justifiably on the boil". Resident doctors hit the road with anger and deep sorrow, he said adding the IMA had also called for withdrawal of medical services barring emergency care for 24 hours. Subsequently, the

FAIMA raises concerns over electoral integrity in IMA, alleges corruption

The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) voiced concerns over the recent electoral process within the Indian Medical Association (IMA), alleging irregularities and potential corruption that could jeopardise the integrity of the esteemed organisation. In a letter addressed to the chief election commissioner of the IMA on Sunday, FAIMA alleged that large sums of money were reportedly collected from members for nominations, yet several key positions within the IMA were filled without any election being conducted. This has sparked fears of undemocratic practices and raised questions about the transparency of the process, the letter said. The letter also highlights the need to reconsider the role of Dr Ketan Desai as the Chief Patron of the IMA, stressing that his continued association could further tarnish the reputation of the organization. FAIMA has called for an immediate investigation into these allegations and urged the chief election commissioner of IMA to take prom

Doctor charged in actor Matthew Perry's death expected to plead guilty

The 'Friends' actor was found dead in October in the hot tub at his Pacific Palisades home

Jharkhand govt ropes private docs to address shortage in govt hospitals

To address shortage of doctors in state-run hospitals, the Jharkhand government has decided to rope in private doctors to provide treatment in facilities where there is a lack of specialists. This was announced by the government during distribution of appointment letters to 365 community health officers (CHOs) by Chief Minister Hemant Soren here at a function on Thursday. "The government is continuously working to enhance health infrastructure in the state. We have undertaken several initiatives in this regard and are developing a system so that residents do not need to seek treatment in other states," the Chief Minister said. "To tackle the shortage of specialist doctors, particularly in community health centres and district hospitals, the government has decided to allow private doctors to provide treatment in these facilities. They will be offered incentives for their services," said state health secretary Ajoy Kumar Singh. The CM also highlighted the recent launch of schemes aim

Doc safety meet: Centre asks states to hold night patrols, control access

This comes a day after the ten-member National Task Force (NTF), appointed by the Supreme Court, met for the first time to formulate a protocol for the safety and security of healthcare professionals

SC-appointed task force for doctors' safety, security holds first meeting

The ten-member NTF deliberated on some of the inputs and representations that it has received for improving the safety, security, and working conditions of healthcare workers at medical establishments

Only 17 women remain at RG Kar College post doctor's rape-murder horror

Kolkata doctor rape-murder: The mass exodus began on August 9, when the junior doctor's body was found in the seminar room, sparking an ongoing crisis

Wake up India: Mamata's letter to Modi tries to highlight rapes elsewhere

'90 cases of rapes occur daily throughout the country', says the West Bengal Chief Minister to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in light of the Kolkata rape and murder at RG Kar Medical College

Doctors in Delhi hospital claim assault by patient's husband, accused held

A 56-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting doctors and misbehaving with nursing staff at the Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital in Northeast Delhi, officials said on Thursday. Israr (56), who runs a spare parts shop, had taken his wife to the hospital for treatment on Wednesday night when he allegedly assaulted doctors, they said. As the accused threatened the doctors and abused them, hospital staffers recorded it on their mobile phones. According to the FIR, the accused's wife was given medication by the doctor on duty based on her complaints but her husband refused those and instead suggested his own mode of treatment, a police official said. Dr Rajneesh, a junior resident at the hospital told PTI Videos that when the hospital staffers ignored the man's suggestions, he became violent and started misbehaving with the doctors. "We tried to pacify him but he started abusing us and assaulted some of us. He also misbehaved with our nursing staff," the doctor said. The FI

Female doctors' suicide risk 76% higher than general population: Study

The study by the University of Vienna also highlighted the ongoing mental health crisis in the medical profession, worsened by the recent Covid-19 pandemic