Did Junior Doctors at Dhanbad Medical College Really Go on Indefinite Strike Over BJP Leader's Alleged Misconduct?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Junior doctors have gone on indefinite strike due to allegations against a BJP leader.
- Healthcare services are critically impacted, affecting numerous patients.
- Doctors demand accountability and safety assurances for their colleagues.
- The situation highlights concerns regarding political involvement in healthcare.
- Immediate action is needed to restore trust and safety in medical environments.
Dhanbad, Sep 20 (NationPress) Healthcare services at Shaheed Nirmal Mahto Medical College and Hospital (SNMMCH) in Dhanbad faced a complete halt on Saturday as junior doctors initiated an indefinite strike. The protest stemmed from allegations of inappropriate behavior by Rampravesh Das, a BJP leader representing the Dhanbad MP, towards a female junior doctor.
The strike has drastically impacted OPD, emergency, and indoor services, resulting in distress for hundreds of patients and their families.
Critically ill patients, including those requiring urgent medical attention, were left without care in the emergency department.
Many individuals who traveled from remote locations were observed waiting in despair outside the hospital, with several families stating that they had no choice but to transfer their patients to costly private hospitals.
Doctors claimed that the incident occurred on Friday evening when Das arrived at the hospital inebriated.
He reportedly demanded that a female doctor remove her burqa, used abusive language, and threatened the medical staff.
Furthermore, they asserted that this was not an isolated incident and mentioned previous complaints made to the Dhanbad MP regarding Das’s continued misbehavior and threats, which went unaddressed.
In light of this, junior doctors convened an emergency meeting on Friday night and collectively decided to strike.
By Saturday morning, both OPD counters and doctors’ chambers were left empty.
Das has vehemently denied the allegations, insisting that he visited the hospital solely to assist a female patient and expressed concerns over the prescription of 'unnecessary X-rays.'
He claimed to have informed hospital superintendent Dr. D.K. Gindauria about the event over the phone.
The junior doctors have pledged to continue their strike until strict measures are taken against Das.
They also seek assurances regarding the safety of their female colleagues and demand a complete cessation of political interference in hospital operations.