In order to get Medical Protection Act (MPA) implemented in Jharkhand, all Government and private doctors will be on a day long strike on Monday. The Jharkhand Chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Jharkhand State Health Services Association (JSHSA) however, have assured that the emergency services will not be affected during the strike.
“We have been struggling for the last four years to get the MPA implemented in the State but the Government is not paying attention to our demands. Hence, we have been forced to take such a harsh step to seek attention of this Government so that the act gets implemented in the State as soon as possible. It is a combined alarm being raised by Jharkhand Chapter of IMA and JSHSA,” said JSHSA Secretary Dr Vimlesh Singh.
According to Singh, despite the fact that the Act has already been implemented in as many as18 States of the Country, the government was hesitant to take any move in this regard.
“After the implementation of the Act, the doctors will be able to treat patients fearlessly as there was always a possibility of creating a scene by the family members by ransacking the hospital in case something unfortunate happens with the patient,” Singh said. It was beneficial both for the doctors and patient as well as it will not pose any threat on the life of other patients admitted in the hospital, he added.
The administration on its part is to take help of paramedical staffs to deal with the crisis. “Although, we have not been informed about Government doctors going on strike, even then we have asked the paramedical staffs to be prepared for any kind of exigency,” said Ranchi DC Manoj Kumar.
The Act, which aims to protect doctors, nurses and hospitals from violent reactions, was approved in 2013 by the State Government but it is yet to be implemented, understandably due to public displeasure. The MPA makes provision for three years of imprisonment and a fine of `50,000 for attacking doctors, nurses and medical establishments. Doctors claimed that the pressure on the Government will be intensified further, if it does not get alerted through this strike.