Why GMC Bhopal junior doctor Bala Saraswati commits suicide?

The medical community at Gandhi Medical College (GMC) in Bhopal experienced shock and grief as Dr. Bala Saraswati, a promising junior doctor pursuing her post-graduation in Gynecology and Obstetrics, tragically ended her life. The 27-year-old doctor's suicide sent shockwaves through the institution and triggered a series of events that exposed alleged harassment and abuse within the Gynecology Department.

Dr. Bala Saraswati, hailing from Andhra Pradesh, earned a reputation for her dedication and sincere approach towards her medical studies. As a junior doctor at GMC Bhopal, she dreamt of making a positive impact on her patients' lives and aspired to successfully complete her post-graduation. Tragically, she cut short her dreams when she took the extreme step of injecting herself with anesthesia in her apartment.

Koh-e-Fiza police station in-charge Vijay Singh Sisodia said that her husband found Dr Bala Saraswati, who was pursuing post-graduation in gynaecology, unconscious in their rented apartment in the early hours of the day.

In response, GMC authorities removed the HOD from her position on Wednesday. Despite this action, the protesting doctors insist on receiving an official order copy before ending their strike.

Who was doctor Bala Saraswati?

Dr. Bala Saraswati was a junior doctor pursuing post-graduation in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Gandhi Medical College (GMC) in Bhopal. She was originally from Andhra Pradesh, and her parents reside in Bengaluru.

Tragically, she took her own life by injecting herself with anesthesia in her apartment. Her death led to an indefinite strike by junior doctors and members of the Junior Doctors' Association (JDA) at GMC Bhopal, who demanded justice and improvements to the working environment within the institution.

Suicide Note

A suicide note left behind by Dr. Bala Saraswati was discovered. In the note, she expressed regret for choosing to study at Gandhi Medical College and described it as her "biggest mistake." She expressed frustration with the toxic atmosphere within the institution and apologized to her family for not being able to meet their expectations.

In her poignant letter, Dr. Bala Saraswati wrote, "Taking admission in Gandhi Medical College (GMC) was my biggest mistake. I have the biggest regret after choosing this college. There is a lot of poison in these people. I can't take this poison anymore. I am very sorry."

The suicide note also contained a heartfelt message to someone named Jai, declaring, "You are the most special person in my life… Fulfilling all your dreams… Take care of yourself. I have reached this far only because of your encouragement. I love you very much, you get married again and move on with your life."

Following the tragic incident, GMC authorities took action and removed the HOD of the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics. However, the move failed to pacify the protesting doctors, who are demanding justice for the deceased doctor and an end to the alleged harassment.

The suicide note also contained an affidavit addressed to HOD Dr. Aruna Kumar, along with a letter from the Dean's office allowing Dr. Bala Saraswati to rejoin within an extended time frame.

Family's Complaint

In the wake of the suicide, Dr. Bala Saraswati's family filed a written complaint with the Assistant Commissioner of Police, accusing five doctors, including the HOD of the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, of mentally torturing her. The accused doctors, however, have denied the allegations, stating their innocence.

One of the accused, Dr. Aruna Kumar, Professor & HOD of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at GMC, addressed the specific allegations against her. "Dr. Bala Saraswati was never called a slacker. She was the most sincere girl in the department," said Dr. Kumar. She further explained that Dr. Saraswati had been on extended leave, and her PG degree submission deadline was not yet due.

Similarly, the other accused doctors, Dr. Rekha Wadhwani, Professor; Dr. Pallavi, Associate Professor; and Dr. Purva Badkur, Assistant Professor; have also rejected the allegations against them, presenting their versions of the events.

In the midst of the ongoing strike by the medical fraternity and the grief-stricken family's demands for justice, the authorities must navigate a sensitive and complex situation. The police have stepped in to investigate the matter and provide explanations to quell the rising tension.

Timeline of the case

1. August 1: Dr. Bala Saraswati injected herself with an overdose of anesthesia, causing her to become unconscious in her rented apartment. She rushed to the hospital, shocking the medical fraternity and the public when they heard that she had died upon arrival.
2. August 1: Dr. Bala Saraswati's suicide note found expressing regret for studying at Gandhi Medical College. She called it her "biggest mistake," citing a toxic atmosphere. She apologized to her family for not meeting their expectations.
3. August 2: Following Dr. Bala Saraswati's death on August 2, her father and sister filed a complaint with the Assistant Commissioner of Police, accusing five doctors, including the Head of Gynecology, of mentally torturing her with pregnancy-related taunts and harassment, possibly leading to her suicide.
4. August 2: Gandhi Medical College junior doctors and JDA Bhopal started an indefinite strike. They demanded the HOD's resignation, suspensions, and improved working conditions.
5. August 3: Police began investigating harassment allegations in the Gynecology Department after Dr. Bala Saraswati's family filed a complaint. 45 junior doctors submitted 40 letters detailing their own experiences of harassment during her post-mortem.
6. August 3: Family Creates Ruckus During the post-mortem process, Dr. Bala Saraswati's family created a commotion and argued with Dean Dr. Arvind Rai. The police intervened to pacify the situation.
7. Ongoing: Medical professionals from various organizations, including FAIMA, UDFA, and FORDA, express solidarity with the victim and support the strike called by the junior doctors.

Demand justice for Dr. Saraswati

Health Activist Dr. Dhruv Chauhan tweeted his support for the strike and demanded justice for Dr. Saraswati. He highlighted that Dr. Saraswati, who was 14 weeks pregnant, took her own life as authorities did not allow her to take exams.

He accused the Gynaecology department at GMC Bhopal of being toxic and mentioned a previous incident of a pediatric resident committing suicide due to similar toxicity. Dr. Chauhan criticized the Head of the Gynaecology department, stating that despite the toxic environment, she continues to hold her position.

In response to the working conditions at the college, first-year PG residents alleged that the Gynaecology department has the worst environment. They wrote a letter to the GMC administration, detailing the physical and mental abuse they have endured over the years. The residents stated that they were silenced with the threat that if they speak up, they won't pass or receive their degrees.

The residents stated in the letter that the authorities force them to work for more than 36 hours without rest, food, or water, resulting in high stress and a lack of error tolerance. They conveyed that the authorities treat them poorly and label them as "Kamchore" (slackers).

The residents also disclosed that the authorities do not permit them to take leave, even in case of illness. Furthermore, they recounted how a faculty member threatened them when they were mourning the loss of their colleague, discouraging them from speaking up.

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