New Delhi: Resident doctors from AIIMS and VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital have written to President Droupadi Murmu, seeking her intervention in Sonam Wangchuk’s case, raising concerns over patient autonomy, medical ethics, constitutional rights and alleged use of force against protesters Monday.A day after AIIMS Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) wrote to the President, VMMC & Safdarjung RDA Tuesday submitted a four-page representation, saying Wangchuk’s medical care and any decision on his continued hospitalisation should rest solely on independent clinical judgement. It stressed that every competent patient is entitled to dignity, informed consent and treatment.Safdarjung RDA said reports suggesting Wangchuk was allegedly not allowed to take ‘leave against medical advice’, if accurate, raise “serious concerns regarding informed consent, personal liberty and constitutional rights”. It said hospitals are institutions of healing and should never be perceived as places of detention except where restrictions are authorised by law.The association also questioned the security arrangements at Safdarjung Hospital during Wangchuk’s admission, saying reports of restricted access, heavy security deployment and disruption of routine hospital services warranted an independent examination.Citing reports and videos, it further sought an independent, time-bound inquiry into police action against protesters, besides allegations of intimidation of faculty and students of Lady Hardinge Medical College.Calling its appeal “not political”, Safdarjung RDA urged Murmu to safeguard competent patients’ right to seek leave against medical advice wherever legally permissible, examine whether security arrangements affected the functioning of Safdarjung Hospital, ensure accountability for any violation of constitutional rights or medical ethics, and protect healthcare professionals from intimidation and violence.On Monday, AIIMS RDA had also sought the President’s intervention, citing the police action, and questioning Wangchuk’s continued hospitalisation. It said reports that he was not allowed to leave the hospital despite seeking leave against medical advice, if accurate, raised important questions about patient autonomy and informed consent.Describing themselves as apolitical organisations, both RDAs said protecting constitutional values, patient rights and the independence of public healthcare institutions is essential to maintaining public trust.
