“What emergency is fever and body pain?”: Woman doctor’s remarks to patient spark row; show-cause notice issued

KOLLAM: A woman doctor’s alleged remarks to a patient who arrived at the casualty department of Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital with fever and body pain have sparked controversy. Following the circulation of visuals of the incident on social media, hospital superintendent Dr Nibin Krishna issued a show-cause notice to the doctor.

The allegation is against Dr Rekha Krishnan, the casualty medical officer at the hospital. The video shows the doctor saying that only patients with emergency conditions should come to the casualty, that fever is not an emergency and that there was no facility to examine the patient.
The doctor is also heard asking what emergency there was in fever and body pain and saying, “This is not kept open for you to rush in.”
When the patient’s wife told the doctor that he had a heart-related ailment and was experiencing body pain, the doctor allegedly responded in a mocking manner.

The patient has not filed a complaint so far. Youth Congress state general secretary Neduvathur Sivakumar has submitted a complaint to the Health Minister and the Health Department director, seeking the removal of Dr Rekha Krishnan from service.

Meanwhile, a Health Department vigilance team had inspected the hospital 15 days ago following complaints regarding the doctor’s alleged misbehaviour. The DMO is also conducting an inquiry against Dr Rekha Krishnan in connection with another complaint.
The show-cause notice was issued after the hospital superintendent examined the video of the incident. Further action will be decided after the doctor submits her explanation.