Docs’ protest cripples health services
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, August 16
The protest over the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata crippled healthcare services in the state. The OPD services came to a standstill at 829 Aam Aadmi Clinics, 550 rural medical dispensaries and government hospitals, including medical colleges, and primary health centres on Friday.
Pvt hospitals to stay closed today
Uncomfortable gaze, constant fear
- “Uncomfortable gaze by drunk men and a constant fear,” the women medical staff working at the Civil Hospital expressed how they dealt with uncomfortable situations during the night duty. A doctor shared how sometimes men accompanying patients try to get close to them at night
- “If it has happened there, such shameful incidents can happen anywhere. There are times we have to deal with drunk men at the emergency ward and whenever we feel things are getting out of hand, we call security guards,” a health staffer said
- The OPD services at all public health centres in Jalandhar remained suspended in response to a call by the PCMS association. The association members also demanded police posts at every health centre
Though OPD services remained suspended, emergency and medico-legal services were offered to the patients. Even all private hospitals and nursing homes have announced withdrawal of services for 24 hours commencing on Saturday.
Dr Sunit Hind, secretary, Punjab Hospitals and Nursing Homes’ Association, said all private hospitals and nursing homes had responded positively to the call made by their union to withdraw healthcare services from 6 am on August 17 till 6 am on August 18.
Terming the Kolkata incident a crime against humanity, around 250 junior resident doctors in Amritsar demanded stringent laws to ensure safety of women and doctors. The Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) had called for the strike, demanding improved security for medical professionals. The protest also saw participation from the nursing association. Akhil Sareen, head of the PCMSA, condemned the violence against the doctors and urged the government to take immediate steps to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals.
Dr JP Narula, chief of the Rural Medical Services Association, said the doctors had become easy targets.
At Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, the doctors staged a symbolic protest by hanging a blood-stained apron, highlighting the rising violence against the healthcare workers.
“Security at healthcare institutes is the government’s responsibility. Despite repeated requests, nothing concrete has been done so far,” said a protesting doctor at Mata Kaushalya Hospital.
Another doctor expressed concern over the increasing incidents of violence and theft at hospitals.
In Faridkot, more than 200 resident doctors at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital kept all non-essential and elective services, including OPDs, operation theatre and ward duties, under suspension. The OPD services remained suspended at the government hospitals of Sangrur district.
