Indian Medical Association (IMA) Jharkhand Chapter Secretary Dr BP Kashyap today resigned from his post after many of the city based hospitals were found not giving discounts in pursuance of National IMA decision to give discount of 25 per cent at OPD services to voters who have exercised their franchise in the lS polls.
Dr. Kashyap, who also happens to be the Director of Kashyap Memorial Eye Hospital said that the decision was taken to protest against the denial of giving discounts to patients who have exercised their franchise in this general election.
Ahead of the polls, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) had intimated all member institutions and Doctors to provide to 25 per cent discount on consultation fee to those patients who had indelible ink mark. The discount was to be availed within a week after voting.
Coming down heavily on the violation of IMA order Dr. Kashyap said, “To generate belief for democracy among the voters the campaign was launched across the state. It is ridiculous to find that after echoing high to give support to the campaign, doctors adopted a nonchalant attitude towards it. My resignation will be a slap on the violators’ faces that differed from their words.”
He further added that in order to maintain people’s belief in democracy he had taken this stern action.
Interestingly, some doctors said they did not receive official information from the IMA while others pleaded ignorance. City’s renowned hospital such as Apollo hospital, Santevita, Seva Sadan and KC ROY Memorial hospitals have been found ignorant on the order despite double reminder from the IMA officials. The IMA officials had sent SMSes to over 600 doctors across the State. “I have been constantly reminding these hospitals through mails and SMS to avail the orders after going through the newspaper and media regarding it but to no avail,” added Dr Kashyap.
Joint secretary of IMA Jharkhand Chapter Dr Bharti Kashyap also expressed her unhappiness over the matter.
“It is pathetic that doctors of renowned hospitals, who have always shown interest in people’s welfare, have taken back seat in this programme. It is worthless to be in the team of those whose actions speak against their word,” she said.