Bhaigiri!

Doctors of St George Hospital write to CM saying medical superintendent Chandrakant Gaikwad threatens them claiming to be the brother of newly-appointed chief secretary Ratnakar Gaikwad

Bhaigiri!

Doctors of St George Hospital write to CM saying medical superintendent Chandrakant Gaikwad threatens them claiming to be the brother of newly-appointed chief secretary Ratnakar Gaikwad

The once-bitten superintendent of St George's Hospital has either slid back into his aberrant ways that earned him a suspension in 2009. Or, the recent complaint by 73 hospital employees is redundant, as he claims.

In a harshly-worded letter, doctors and administrative staffers claim that the medical superintendent of the hospital, Dr Chandrakant Gaikwad, showboats his political connections to subdue them, by claiming to be the brother of the newly appointed chief secretary of the state, Ratnakar Gaikwad, The letter dated January 17 (copy with MiD DAY) is addressed to Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, State Health Minister Suresh Shetty, and Medical Education Minister Dr Vijay Kumar Gavit.

In January 2010 Chandrakant Gaikwadu00a0was accused of using the hospital ambulance to ferry his daughter to college. Ratnakar Gaikwadu00a0told MiD DAY that he doesn't know his namesake

It enumerates the irregularities committed by the superintendent and alleges that he harasses and bullies staffers, stating, "Ratnakar is my brother and now the entire government system is in the palm of my hands."

According to one of the signatories, "When Ratnakar was appointed the chief secretary (CS); our superintendent went to congratulate him.

The same day, the CS' office sent many bouquets to the hospital to cheer patients. But, the superintendent put them on display in his office to show his proximity to the secretary."

Incidentally, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, headed by Ratnakar before he took charge as CS, had made provision in the 2011-12 budget to grant Rs 43 crore to St George Hospital for renovation.

Staffers have alleged that the superintendent sneaked away construction material like tiles, cement sacks, and marble stone, meant for the hospital's overhaul to his house in Khargar.

"He was earlier caught red-handed using the nursing hostel gym meant for female students, and the hospital ambulance for ferrying his daughter to college," said a staffer.
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MiD DAY had reported about the first incident last year ('Please don't use our gym, sir!', November 2, 2010).

The staffer added that the superintendent has also seized possession of the hospital's camera worth Rs 2 lakh.
Moreover, the hospital's Resident Doctors' Association also shot a similar letter on Saturday to the authorities.
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In this letter (copy with MiD DAY) the student medicos have alleged that the superintendent teaches them graft and corruption.

"Even when not needed, the superintendent pressurises us to admit people in the hospital," the letter states.

Officials speak

Ratnakar Gaikwad said in an SMS to MiD DAY, "I don't even know him." Dr T P Lahane, Dean of the JJ Group of Hospitals to which the St George facility is affiliated, said, "We have received the letter and are conducting an inquiry into the allegations the staffers have made against the superintendent."

Dr W B Tayade, director,u00a0 Directorate of Medical Education and Research, said, "We are aware of the complaint and have submitted a report to the government. Dr Gaikwad is actually an employee of the Directorate of Health Services and they should take the necessary action."

Dr D S Dakhure, director, Directorate of Health Services, could not be reached for comment.

The other side
Refuting the allegations and calling them stale, Dr Chandrakant Gaikwad, said, "These are all administrative matters. Whatever allegations are made in the letter are false. The staff of the hospital is upset with me because I do not grant them leaves easily. Besides, the allegations are from two years ago and these matters have already been sorted."

In The Past
The State Health Department had suspended Dr Chandrakant Gaikwad from the deputation of medical superintendent in September 2009 on account of a number of complaints against him from the hospital.
But he was reinstated a week after his suspension. In November 2010, MiD DAY had reported that nursing students of St George Hospital had lodged a complaint against Gaikwad, as he used the gym during girls' hours.