Medicos threaten protest if order not revoked in a week
Bihar Government on Tuesday took action against eight doctors of PMCH for allegedly remaining unavailable when stampede victims were brought there on October 3, triggering protest from the doctors’ associations who threatened agitation if the order was not revoked within a week.
Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) Superintendent lakhinder Prasad was suspended and its Principal SN Sinha was given his duty as additional charge, Health Secretary Anand Kishore said.
Four doctors of Assistant Professor rank of Surgery, Urology and Orthopaedics were transferred outside Patna, while the Heads of Department of Orthopaedics, Surgery and Urology were served show cause notice, Kishore said.
The suspension and other actions have been taken after approval of Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and Health Minister Ramdhani Singh, he said. Kishore said departmental inquiry would be carried against the doctors of the hospital.
A meeting of the Bihar chapter of Indian Medical Association and Bihar Health Services Association (BHSA) described the Government’s action as ‘injustice’ and sought revocation of the order.
“If the Government did not withdraw the suspension and punitive action against the doctors, we will call a meeting of doctors of the entire State to decide launching an agitation," IMA senior vice president Shahjanand Singh said.
BHSA general secretary Ajay Kumar said, “Instead of praising the PMCH doctors for rendering good service after the stampede, they have been punished.”
The Chief Minister, however, justified the decision. “As a CM I have accepted responsibility and have tried to teach a lesson (to the doctors),” Manjhi told reporters at Patna Airport on return from Aurangabad.
Manjhi, during a surprise visit to the PMCH on Sunday evening to meet the Dussehra stampede victims, had found doctors unavailable in the Emergency Ward which also wore a filthy look.