Statewide doctors’ strike crippled the medical services in the State on Monday. The doctors are demanding to implement Medical Protection Act (MPA) in Jharkhand. However, the emergency services were not affected during the strike, as per the instructions issued by the Jharkhand Chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Jharkhand State Health Services Association (JSHSA) on May 15.
“I have instructed all the medical staffs to provide assistance to public. People will not suffer. All the emergency cases will be dealt by the doctors. Only OPDs will remain closed due to the strike,” informed, RIMS Director, Bl Sherwal.
When the association members contacted CM, Raghubar Das on the issue, the members received positive response from the State Government part on MPA implementation. “CM has directed the officials to implement the law immediately in State. CM has asked the health Secretary to monitor the hurdles which is creating hindrances in implementing the act. As far as, strike is concerned, it was successful Statewide,” informed, State IMA, Secretary, Dr. Pravin Kumar Singh.
The strike affected health services in Jamshedpur too. OPDs at the State run 18 primary health centres, nine community health centres (CHC), sub-divisional hospital in Ghatshila, Sadar Hospital in Khashmahal and MGM Hospital remained closed. Only the emergency units were functional at the State run health institutions, private nursing homes and clinics across the district.
IMA Jamshedpur Vice-President, Dr Umesh Khan said that they were forced to go on strike. “In Jharkhand we have only been receiving assurance from the state government. This has forced IMA state unit to close OPDs for a day.”
The IMA delegation at Jamshedpur has also handed over a memorandum addressed to the CM through East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Amitabh Kaushal at the district Collectorate demanding for early implementation of the Medical Protection Act. Senior Congress leader SRA Rizwi Chabban also said that the State Government must take measures to implement the act on priority basis.
The Act has already been implemented in 18 States across the country. However, the state government is yet to take any step towards this. 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.
The law makes provision for three years of imprisonment and a fine of 50,000 for attacking doctors, nurses and medical setups under the MPA act. Presently, the hospital administration works according to clinical establishment act in the State.