PANJIM: In a serious graft charge levelled by a student of the skin department, the Goa University has apparently held back the result of an MD student of that department, because “seniors” have demanded a bribe. According to students, a senior doctor in the skin department has been demanding a bribe of Rs one lakh to declare the result. “The student is seven months pregnant and is being tortured by this senior doctor. She has been told to pay or she would be failed,” said a source in the GMC.
Herald has come to understand that the result of only one MD student in the skin department has been held back while all others were declared a month ago.
Sources further reveal that the student, despite being pregnant, was put on difficult shifts and exposed to harmful skin infections. “When she complained, the doctor asked her why she got pregnant when she was doing her MD,” sources said adding, “The student also complained to the dean but to no avail.”
Both, GMC and Goa University are clearly avoiding the issue and when grilled and cornered by Herald, they ducked our reporters and refused to answer queries. Here are the details of how Herald made attempts to get a simple version of this from GMC as well as Goa University and leave the readers to judge for themselves
When Herald approached the GMC Dean Dr Pradeep Naik, he replied, he has no complaint. “I have not received any official or written complaint on results being withheld,” Dr Naik said. He, however, acknowledged that he “has knowledge” that the result of some student is pending but he is not the authority to question this. We wonder, if the Dean is not the authority to question, then who is, since a delay affects the career of a student in GMC, under his watch. His advice to Herald was as good as passing the buck. “Why don’t you ask the Goa University, only they declare the results. I can’t comment on the matter,” he stated.
When Herald approached Goa University Controller of Exams Leo Macedo, the script was already decided. He simply refused to take any questions. “I do not entertain reporters,” he said.
Herald also made several calls to the skin department HoD Dr Pankaj Shukla on his mobile no 9520xxx800/9423xxx228 but he neither answered calls, nor did he return them. (Full numbers witheld on grounds of privacy). This is another indication of how every official has been doing his best not to face questions from Herald
This reporter also visited the Skin department but was told the doctor is on vacation.
This gives rise to serious apprehension that it’s not just GMC but also Goa University officials who seem to be in the know of the incident and are covering it up
But there’s more. A source in the department added, “The senior doctor also asked the student to get imported camera and a lens from her sister in the US a year ago but is yet to pay for that.”
Sources state that there is a nexus between the GMC doctor and the Goa University officials in declaration of results.
It is imperative for the Education and the Health departments, headed by the Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza, respectively, to intervene and order an inquiry into the incident and take serious corrective action, against the HoD of the skin department GMC, the Dean, GMC, and the Controller Of Examinations of Goa University, if this nexus is revealed. Herald will be watching and reporting.
