Slapping incident at Rajindra Hospital:Junior resident doctors protest
The post graduate doctors of Government Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, who had gone on strike, on Thursday, following the slapping incident involving a junior resident doctor in the emergency ward, here on Wednesday night, called off their protest after getting assurance of better security in the hospital from Dr Manjit Kaur Mohi, director, medical education and research, Punjab.
The post graduate doctors of Government Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, who had gone on strike, on Thursday, following the slapping incident involving a junior resident doctor in the emergency ward, here on Wednesday night, called off their protest after getting assurance of better security in the hospital from Dr Manjit Kaur Mohi, director, medical education and research, Punjab.
Earlier, the junior resident doctors went on strike, alleging that three patients in drunken condition entered the emergency ward of Rajindra Hospital on Wednesday night and after misbehaving, slapped Dr Manu Chaudhary, who was on the night duty.
The protesters raised slogans and a delegation of doctors, along with medical superintendent BS Brar, also met the medical education and research director at Chandigarh.
Meanwhile, the police arrested three accused on Thursday. The accused were identified as Kulwinder Singh Lucky, Babanpreet Singh Sandy, Ragho Majra and Jaspreet Singh Prince, all residents of Dhiru Nagar.
Dr Manu Chaudhary, said, “When the patients entered in emergency wards, they were inebriated and started misbehaving with me. As I called the security guard, they abused us and slapped me on my face.”
The Junior Doctors’ Welfare Association, who went on strike on Thursday, demanded tight security in the hospital. The doctors also alleged that one person among the three accused had misbehaved with a female doctor three months ago. Meanwhile, after the assurance from Manjit Kaur Mohi, the doctors called off their strike.
“We have been assured that 16 CCTVs will be installed within a week and 10 more security guards would be deployed. As of now, we have called off our strike but if the promises will not be implemented, we will start the protest again” said Dr Nitin, president of PG Doctors’ Association.
Gurpreet Singh Bhinder, Civil lines SHO, said, “The police have arrested three accused and a case has been registered under Sections 353,186, 34 of the IPC.”
Patients face harassment
Over 300 nurses, demanding regular jobs are already on indefinite strike. As the PG doctors started strike on Thursday, patients had to face harassment.
In the past month, PG doctors were running all wards in the absence of the nurses. When these doctors left work, operation theatre and OPD services were affected badly.
“My brother’s operation was cancelled as in the absence of PG doctors, senior doctors refused to operate his leg. He is in miserable condition and the doctors cannot understand our problem,” said, Hakam Singh, relative of a patient.
Meanwhile, medical superintendent, BS Brar, said, “All the demands of PG doctors have been accepted and doctors have called of their strike. OT and OPD services will continue on Friday. We have decided to install CCTVs in the hospital and the number of security guards will be increased soon.”
