Chennai: Doctors face action for failing to mention ‘rape’

CHENNAI: At least six doctors of the Dharmapuri Medical College and Hospital are facing action, including suspension, criminal charges and disciplinary proceedings, for “not recording the rape” or labelling it medico-legal in the case sheet of a minor who was raped by two men.

State health secretary Beela Rajesh has written to director of medical education Dr A Edwin Joe, ordering action against the doctors for negligence in handling the sensitive case.

On November 5, 2018, the 17-year-old Class XII student was raped by two men at Sittilingi village in Dharmapuri when she had ventured into a field to relive herself. She was taken to the Harur government hospital, where duty doctors said it was a rape and an FIR was filed. The same day, she was referred to a children’s home in Dharmapuri. However, the next day, she was brought to the Dharamapuri Government Medical College and Hospital with complaints of severe bleeding, giddiness and vomiting. She died in the hospital on November 10. “There was no mention of rape in her case sheet. The doctors were about to hand over the body to the family even without autopsy. Fortunately, they were stopped by social workers from the home,” said a senior health department official. “It is not information that can be missed. She didn’t come from her house but from a children’s home. If they had seen the case history, they would have seen the rape mention and the FIR. Even if they missed it, they should have spoken to the girl or at least seen clinical signs that caused severe pain,” said a senior health official.

However, doctors who were on duty have turned to doctors’ forums and colleagues for support. “We did our best to save her, but we did not know she was raped. There was no case sheet. Her mother was her attender. Neither the patient nor her parents mentioned rape. We didn’t know about the home or police case too,” a duty doctor said.

The girl was conscious and oriented during admission. “We diagnosed her with vertigo and she was treated with IV fluids and medication in the female ward. When CT scan showed mild swelling of the brain, she was given suitable medications and symptoms improved in the next two days. After obtaining opinion from an ENT surgeon we even planned an MRI scan. By then the patient collapsed. We tried resuscitating her and shifted her to the intensive care unit. But she did not make it,” he said. “It was after this that we were told about the rape and the incident report filed by the Harur GH,” the doctor said.

While Dr Joe has sought more clarification, senior officials at the health department said only criminal and department investigations could find more answers.