Thiruvananthapuram: Girl alleges unwarranted queries by doctor at hospital
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A 17-year old girl had a harrowing time at the hands of a dermatologist in a private hospital on the Chacka NH Bypass in the city. She alleged that Dr K. Prasanna Moorthy sought her religion and caste and demanded to know personal details which were unwarranted. The girl and her mother who are residing at Subhash Nagar went there seeking treatment for her pimples. They told DC that they felt offended right from the time they filled the OP form which asked the patient's religion and caste.
The mother who works as a biotechnologist left the two columns blank. But they claimed that they were in for a surprise when the dermatologist demanded to know whether the girl visits a temple or a church. “Firstly the doctor wanted to know when my daughter takes her bath. When she replied that she takes her bath in the evening, he wanted to know whether she visits the temple or a church. He wanted to know why my daughter was named after a Hindu God’s name,” said the girl’s mother who is the daughter of former parliamentarian O. J. Joseph.
She added that she told Dr Moorthy that they came there to have her pimples treated and not to discuss their religion or when the girl takes her bath. “It's none of the doctor’s business to enquire about our religion or caste," she said. “According to the Constitution, there is the right of freedom of religion making India a secular state. Even if I belong to the upper or lower caste, I do not get any privilege in hospitals. I have the right to name my daughter.” The mother – daughter duo have lodged a complaint before the hospital authorities. But they are yet to reach them.
However, Dr Moorthy who retired as a professor of dermatology at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College said he advised the girl to take her bath twice a day so that the pimples also get washed. “Why should I ask their religion and caste? I advised her to wash her face frequently so that there will be a respite for her pimples,” he told DC. Dr Moorthy has been working as a senior dermatologist there for more than a decade. The hospital authorities were unable to give a convincing reply regarding the OP form seeking religion and caste details.
