Days after Dr Sejal Pawar’s remarks on a program sparked controversy, a member of the All India Medical Students Association slammed the incident, saying it “tarnishes” the image of doctors and disrespects their work.
Dr Kanishka Kalra, general secretary of AIMSA’s Foreign Medical Students Wing, pointed out the implications of Dr Pawar’s remarks, saying people would rethink donating bodies for “medical education”.
In a clip of Moore’s show that went viral on social media, Dr. Pawar is heard making remarks about “male bodies” and comparing the sizes of male genital organs. This sparked a backlash, with King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital in Mumbai, where Dr Pawar is studying MBBS, sending her on forced leave for 15 days after it ordered an investigation.
Dr Kalra described Dr Pawar’s statements as “very wrong”, saying: “This also tarnishes the image of doctors who save lives day and night… When something like this happens in society…”
She also said that someone’s family donates her body after her death in order to “improve medical education…” “I don’t think she is a doctor at all.” Dr. Kalra added, “Objectification of the body based on size does not seem right.” The AIMSA member said that upon hearing Dr. Pawar’s statements, “Human beings who agree to donate their bodies will not do so in the future.”
Dr Kalra said the statements send “the wrong message to society”. “This body may belong to someone’s aunt, uncle or brother,” Dr. Kalra added.
KEM Hospital calls the remarks “insensitive”, sends Pawar on forced leave
Meanwhile, the institution where Dr Pawar was pursuing her MBBS has ordered an investigation into the statements and sent her on forced leave for 15 days on Saturday.
Dr. Pawar will be consulted in the presence of her parents or guardian and the appropriate course of action will then be decided, KEM Hospital said. The foundation has formed a five-member committee that will take a final decision on the matter within a week.
In a statement issued about the incident on Friday, KEM Hospital said it took the statements “seriously” and that it had formed an investigation committee after receiving complaints about the matter. The institution stated, “The committee reviewed the entire video recording and interacted with the student in question. The dean’s office received the initial fact-finding report.”
“The preliminary report indicates that some remarks made during the program were objectionable and insensitive,” the statement said, adding that these statements were inconsistent with the professional responsibility, dignity and self-control expected of a medical student. KEM Hospital said Dr Pawar had given a written apology admitting that some of her statements were “inappropriate” and caused distress.
“The disciplinary decision/order, which the competent authority deems appropriate under applicable rules, will be issued and communicated in writing,” the corporation added.
Dr. Pawar’s statements went viral on social media, along with Himanshu Jangra’s statement.” $The remark, “370 Biryani,” sparked backlash on social media.
