In view of the death of superintendent of Government-run MGM hospital SS Prasad who collapsed during Jharkhand Health Minister Rajendra Prasad Singh’s inspection of MGM Hospital, the Jamshedpur chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA) has demanded for adequate security to doctors.
They also demanded stringent action against the culprits involved in attack on the doctors. A delegation led by IMA president KP Dubey handed over a memorandum to DC and demanded security cover. Strongly condemning the growing acts of violence against doctors in various hospitals, particularly in the private Tata Main Hospital and the Government-run Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital ( MGMH), the IMA has sought intervention from the district administration to prevent attendants of patients from resorting to violent behaviour.
During the meeting DC Amitabh Kaushal assured that steps would be taken to ensure safety and security of the medical fraternity. He also sought suggestions from the doctors to improve health services of the district particularly of MGM Hospital. “The deputy commissioner has assured us that steps would be taken to ensure our safety. We are satisfied with the response from the administration,” noted Dubey.
Referring to the regular attack on doctors on duty in the emergency ward, Mritunjay Singh, Secretary of IMA, Jamshedpur chapter said the physicians were working under threat as such incidents were taking place regularly. He went on to add that the doctors community have become a soft target as people want them to issue death certificate even for unnatural deaths without formally registering with the police.
In the last few years the city has witnessed several such incidents wherein the aggrieved family members, relatives and acquaintances of the deceased patients tend to misbehave with the doctor on duty for his/her alleged negligence. lodging strong protest against the conduct of the patients’ attendants, the IMA has said if things continue to move in such a fashion it would get difficult for doctors to perform their duty without fear.