The State-wide one-day strike called by government doctors’ on Monday crippled health services across Jharkhand. The protest organized under the banner—of Indian Medical Association (IMA), Ranchi Chapter and Jharkhand State Health Service Association (JHASA) as a mark of protest against the culprits involved in manhandling Jamtara Civil Surgeon (CS) and extorting another doctor will continue further, if the State government fails to take action in a stipulated time.
JHASA, General Secretary, Dr Bimlesh Singh said that until the culprits involved in the case are arrested, JHASA and IMA, Ranchi Chapter will continue their protest. Dr. Bimlesh stated that by far none of the government officials from the Department of Health and Family Welfare have intervened into the matter regardless of registering FIR against the miscreants. After the incident took place a week ago, the association members had given ultimatum of February 24 to the State government personnel.
“Neither the Minister nor the officials seems to be interested in the case. Considering their laidback approach towards this serious matter, we have decided that until stringent action is taken against the accused, we will continue our protest irrespective of any constraint,” added Dr. Bimlesh.
Sharing the details of further course of action, the JHASA General Secretary, stated, “The organizations (JHASA and IMA, Ranchi Chapter) will conduct a meeting with all its members to chalk out further plan of action on March 5. In the meantime, if the government plunges into action and the culprits are arrested, the organizations will immediately withdraw the protest.”
Notably, over 1800 government doctors’ from Jharkhand are on strike. IMA State Head, Dr. Pradeep Singh said, “The State government ignorance towards this issue has compelled each one of us belonging to medical fraternity to go on strike. The incident took place on February 18, even after one week, none of the accused are arrested. It is not for the first time but earlier as well such untoward incidents have occurred with the doctors.” The representatives of both the associations confirmed that they have made Department, Additional Chief Secretary, Sudhir Tripathy including Minister, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Ramchandra Chandravanshi aware about their strike ahead.Meanwhile, excluding emergency services at the hospitals, Out Patients Department (OPD) services was severely affected. Besides, the Sadar Hospitals across Jharkhand, the strike severely influenced the basic medical health care services at PHCs and Community Health Centers (PHCs) across the State.