Docs lodge protest over violence incidents

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 17

On a nationwide call for a strike, doctors at the Civil Hospitals in Bathinda and Mansa districts wore black badges while performing emergency duties to protest against an assault on their counterparts in Kolkata.

However, OPDs were already closed due to a government holiday on Sant Kabir Jayanti on Monday. The emergency services were kept out of the strike on the humanitarian grounds.

In a release issued by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) here on Monday, its president of Bathinda unit Dr Vikas Chhabra said, “Doctors in all private and government hospitals cooperated with the call for the strike and kept all routine and OPD services closed. We regret inconvenience caused to the patients. We were left with no other option, but to express resentment.”

Condemning the Kolkata incident, he said any form of violence against people involved in the medical profession would be counterproductive and would demoralise them.

He said such incidents decreased the confidence and courage of medical practitioners, particularly in critical situations.

“Violence incidents will affect the performance of the medical community, especially medical practitioners, who being the team leaders bear the brunt of the assault. Ultimately, the situation will adversely impact the patient care and safety,” he added.

The IMA also took out a candle march in the evening to sensitise the public to violence against doctors.

In Mansa, Dr Sherjung Singh Sidhu, president of IMA’s local unit, said, “Instances of violence against the doctors have increased over the past few years. As a result, there is a sense of insecurity among the doctors. The laws meant for ensuring the safety and security of doctors should be implemented strictly.”

Meanwhile, dental clinics in Bathinda also observed a complete shutdown, though emergency patients were attended.

Dr Rajnish Kansal said these attacks against doctors should be dealt with sternly so as to maintain the patient-doctor ties, adding that the government must step in and frame laws to avoid further conflicts.

Protest march taken out in Faridkot

Faridkot: In support of their colleagues of a medical college in Kolkata, doctors in private and government hospitals take out a protest march here on Monday. Members of many social organisations also took part in it.

The doctors expressed sympathy with their counterparts in Kolkata and demanded that the state should redress their problems without any delay.

They urged people to show restraint and come in support of doctors who are great asset of society.

On a call by the Indian Medical Association, doctors on Monday abstained from their work on non-essential services which include OPDs, elective surgeries and diagnostic tests.

Muktsar IMAsubmits memorandum to ADC

Muktsar: Members of the Muktsar unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday handed over a memorandum to the Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), Dr Richa, in support of 24-hour withdrawal of non-essential services across the country to protest against the recent assault on doctors in West Bengal.

The IMA members led by Dr Arpana Raj, president, IMA, Muktsar, said: “We demand a law to deal with violence against doctors and adequate provisions to ensure a safe workplace for us.”