Govind Sharma
JAMMU, Mar 3: The junior doctors at Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu and associated hospitals, continued to remain off-duty today crippling healthcare services while putting patients to undue hardship.
The junior doctors, under the banner of Resident Doctors Association (RDA), are on an indefinite strike since last evening while demanding proper security and closure report of a counter FIR filed by an attendant against junior doctors of GMC.
Roughly, 2000 patients were affected today by the boycott of outpatient services, ward treatments and emergency services by junior doctors in GMC and associated hospital.
In Emergency Department of GMC which remains crowded with patients and attendants, patients were seen wandering here and there along with their attendants for getting medical help. However, the senior doctors provided their services over time but they also failed to ease the rush of patients.
Long queues of patients were also seen in OPDs of almost every department at associated hospitals while at GMC most of the OPDs were closed. The indoor patients also faced problems due to the ongoing strike of junior doctors.
“I have come from Rajouri for getting my wife checked…But the OPD is closed..we now have to stay overnight with my ailing wife,” said Ghulam Husain, a farmer.
“My 5-year old daughter who was admitted in pediatric ward of SMGS for last five days, was discharged by a senior doctor in the morning and since that time we are waiting for discharge card and now it is 4 pm but we still didn’t get the same”, said Asha Devi, a domestic help and a resident of Samba district.
Meanwhile, a meeting of all HoDs and Medical Superintendents of GMC and associated hospitals, Jammu was convened today afternoon with regard to the ongoing strike by junior resident doctors. The Principal GMC, Dr Ghansham Dev informed the house about the demands of the junior doctors. He informed that one of the demands of the junior doctors is enhancing the security system in Casualty of GMC while the other is withdrawal of Counter FIR lodged by the attendants of a patient. Dr Ghansham Dev informed the house that police have already placed 20 personnel in each shift along with 12 security guards for manning the security services in the Casualty and on the same pattern the security system in other associated hospitals shall also be strengthened.
After threadbare discussions the team of HoDs and Medical Superintendents visited the Casualty of GMC to take stock of the security system in place and expressed their full satisfaction with the placement of security system.
Dr Ghansham Dev alleged that the agitating doctors were repeatedly called for negotiation in his office chamber in the presence of HoDs and Medical Superintendents but they did not respond to the request for negotiation.
The Principal GMC told the house that as far as withdrawal of FIR is concern, it is beyond the preview of administration of the College. Later, the House unanimously declared the strike as illegal and issued a notice to junior doctors through their HoDs to resume their duties by 4 pm this evening failing which administrative action shall follow under conduct rules.
However, ignoring the notice the agitating doctors remained off duty and expressed determination that they will not bow down and continue with their strike till their demands are fulfilled.
Meanwhile, J&K High Court Bar Association Jammu, has condemned the statement and allegations leveled by agitating doctors against some lawyers and announced suspension of work in all courts for two days to protest the same.
MK Bhardwaj, senior advocate, said “J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu strongly condemns the uncalled statement issued by the doctors and appealed the Government to take strict action against the RDA, which is duty bound to serve and provide medical facilities to the public, especially in the circumstances, when the threat of spread of swine-flu is looming large.
“The Doctors who are performing pious nature of duties are public servants and expected to exercise restraint on their utterances against the public at large in general and the visiting patients and their attendants in particular”, he added.
Bhardwaj said that the members of the J&K High Court Bar Association, strongly feel that none is above law including the doctors and they have no right to deprive the public of medical facilities, which is an essential service and they are under an obligation to remain in the parameters of service regulations being public servants and any dereliction of duly may entail them of serious consequences.
Reacting hurriedly over the strike by Jammu lawyers, RDA this evening tendered an unconditional apology to Bar Association Jammu. Dr Neeraj Sharma, president RDA, said “Our agitation is not against our lawyer brethren. It’s against the insensitive administration which fails to provide adequate security to doctors to our satisfaction and also which have failed to bring to justice the culprits responsible for assault on Doctors.
He further requested the Bar Association to support the cause of security for hospital as raised by RDA. Dr Neeraj also alleged that also Doctors’ Association Kashmir and RDA GMC Srinagar have extended full support to their ongoing agitation.
Follow our WhatsApp channel