Resident Doctors’ Body FORDA Demands Urgent Probe into Alleged Assault on Anaesthesia Resident at Safdarjung Hospital

The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) has written to Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda seeking immediate intervention after a senior resident in the Anaesthesiology department at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC) & Safdarjung Hospital was allegedly subjected to verbal abuse and physical manhandling by the Head of the CTVS Department inside the ICU/OT complex on November 28, 2025.

In a strongly worded letter dated December 2, FORDA stated that despite a formal complaint, constitution of an institutional committee, and reported remedial steps including an apology, the hospital administration has failed to take meaningful action or honour the agreed terms. The association accused the administration of “severe undermining of residents’ faith in the grievance-redressal mechanism.”

Condemning the incident as part of a “larger pattern of violence, intimidation and toxic work culture” in government medical colleges and hospitals, FORDA highlighted that resident doctors have been forced to withdraw services from elective OTs and related areas, severely impacting patient care, particularly in major tertiary-care institutions.

FORDA has demanded that the Health Minister:

• Order an independent, time-bound enquiry into the alleged assault by the CTVS HoD, with appropriate disciplinary action if charges are proven.
• Direct VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital administration to honour written resolutions, protect complaints and witnesses, and prevent any punitive or vindictive action against residents who raised concerns.

In a related development, FORDA announced full solidarity with the Safdarjung Hospital Resident Doctors’ Association (SJH RDA), calling the reported workplace violence and administrative apathy “unacceptable.”

“We urge @JPNadda to order an independent, time-bound inquiry, ensure accountability & protect residents who raised concerns,” FORDA stated on social media.

The association warned that prompt intervention is critical to restoring workplace dignity and resuming services essential for patient care.