Rajindra hospital docs support Amritsar JRs

Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 8

Expressing solidarity with junior residents (JRs) of Government Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, Amritsar, JRs of the Government Rajindra Hospital wore black ribbons here today.

In fact, they wore black ribbon as a mark of protest against the rising incidents of violence against on-duty doctors.

The JRs said despite repeated complaints by junior resident doctors, authorities concerned had failed to provide a safe working environment.

The protesting doctors, here, alleged that there was an increase in the number of incidents of physical assaults on their colleagues, but nothing concrete had been done.

United in their demand for a safer environment, junior resident VP Singh said: “We strongly condemn the act of violence against doctors or any other hospital staff. We have been asking for a safe and secure work environment since long.”

What prompted the protest

On the intervening night of February 4 and 5, two lady junior doctors were reportedly groped by a security guard in Amritsar. The doctors reported the incident to the Medical Superintendent (MS). However, the MS allegedly blamed the victims saying: “‘You’re responsible for your own dignity’, which led to a protest”.

Condemning the incident, Dimple Mittal, president, Junior Doctors Association, said: “Instead of assuring strict action against the accused, the Medical Superintendent of the Amritsar hospital made an irresponsible statement. We strongly condemn the statement made by the MS.”