SHRC To Hear Case Of Alleged Fake Doctor At VN Desai Hospital In Mumbai

The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has officially taken up a case regarding an alleged fake doctor who worked in the intensive care unit (ICU) of VN Desai Hospital in Mumbai for nearly two years with invalid credentials. A formal hearing by the commission is scheduled to commence on July 9, 2024, to investigate the oversight.

The issue came to light after the hospital administration discovered that the doctor, identified as Dr. Bharat Sawant, possessed suspicious documents. The hospital sent his medical certificate to the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) for verification. The MMC subsequently confirmed that the certificate was invalid, prompting further action from the hospital and the SHRC.

Following the revelation, VN Desai Hospital suspended all financial payments to the hiring agency, Sai Sanjeevani Services, which had supplied the doctor. Despite the suspension of payments, Dr. Sawant had already worked at the municipal medical facility for almost two years before the discrepancy was uncovered.

According to an internal communication from Dr. Mayura Nagale, the current medical superintendent of VN Desai Hospital, Sai Sanjeevani Services had a formal agreement with the hospital dated July 29, 2022. The contract stipulated that the agency would provide trained and qualified ICU personnel to the hospital for a period of two years.

Dr. Nagale clarified that, under the terms of the agreement, it was the sole responsibility of the vendor to ensure that all medical staff provided to the hospital possessed valid registration with the medical council. She stated that the hospital administration had no role in allowing Dr. Sawant to work without proper documentation.

Dr. Jairaj Acharya, the hospital's former medical superintendent under whose tenure the doctor was employed, was unavailable for comment. Dr. Sawant was also unavailable for comment regarding the allegations and the upcoming SHRC hearing.