The IMA, Jharkhand and JHASA today called off their statewide indefinite strike after arrest of main accused persons in the MGM doctor assault case. Under the banner of IMA and JHASA, State Unit, all the government and private doctors across the state protested against the incident of assault on Dr. Kamlesh Oraon, a pediatrician of MGM Medical College. Indefinite work boycott (except casual service) was announced from 6 am. The entire health system came to a standstill in the State.
Notably, the main demands of the doctors were – that the culprits should be arrested immediately, An FIR against the assault should be lodged by the Medical College administration, which till now was lodged only by Dr Kamlesh and Police personnel should be made in the medical college campus.
A few hours after the movement, the police administration took immediate action and arrested four people including the main accused Santosh and Ravi and the Administrative Officer cum SDO of MGM Medical College and the SSP appealed to IMA and JHASA to withdraw their work boycott. In view of the demands of the organization, the Superintendent of MGM Medical College lodged an FIR on behalf of the administration against the assault and prepared the necessary documents related to making police pipets and sent it to the SSP. All three main demands of the organization were accepted.
As soon as there was official confirmation that the demands had been accepted, IMA and JHASA jointly announced the withdrawal of the work boycott. IMA Secretary Dr. Pradeep Singh said that our movement was successful and the credit for this success goes to all the members of IMA, JHASA, Junior Doctor Association, Tribal Medical Association, AHPI, FORDA and their unity. Dr. PP Shah, President, JHASA said that we need to remain organized like this and thanked the doctors of all the organizations for the success of this movement.
Dr. AK Singh, President, IMA, Jharkhand raised the question that if a doctor on duty in a medical college is assaulted, then where was the security lapse. It is the responsibility of the SDO, the administrator of the medical college, to provide security to the students, doctors and paramedics inside the college campus. Dr. Thakur Mrityunjay Singh, Secretary, JHASA Jharkhand thanked the Police Administration for directly taking prompt action in the success of the movement and indirectly thanked the Health Minister for strengthening the organization.
There is resentment among doctors over non-implementation of the Medical Protection Act. Dr. R.S. Das, Vice President, Headquarters, said that today's boycott would perhaps be able to send a message to the government that whenever doctors agitate, health services would be disrupted and thousands of patients would directly suffer and lose their health. The CM and Health Minister will have to understand the importance of this important Medical Protection Act and make efforts to pass it in the next assembly session.
While sharing information related to the Medical Protection Act, Dr. Pradeep Singh said that it is already applicable in 23 states. And wherever this Act is implemented, there has been a significant reduction in the incidents of assault on doctors and paramedics, referrals have reduced, maternal mortality rate and infant mortality rate have come down.