Doctors continue strike, demand security

Sumit Hakhoo

Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 3

Patients, including those suffering from swine flu, continue to suffer as the standoff continues between striking doctors of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Jammu, and its management.

Doctors have been demanding foolproof security at the hospital to stop frequent clashes between them and attendants of patients.

Meanwhile, the High Court Bar Association has also decided to suspend court work for two days against the assault on an advocate by GMCH doctors.

A meeting led by Bar president MK Bhardwaj condemned the allegation by the Resident Doctors that an advocate had indulged in a fight at the hospital.

The standoff between the hospital management and the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) has severally affected the functioning of hospitals run by the GMCH which include Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital, Chest Disease Hospital and Dental Hospital.

Sources said the administration had said steps would be taken to provide security to doctors after several of them where thrashed by people due to inadequate facilities at the hospital for the swine flu victims.

They said the patients had been left unattended.

“Doctors at the GMCH, SMGS, Chest Disease Hospital and Dental Hospital have suspended their work because the management has failed to provide them security. The administration is responsible for providing basic infrastructure facilities to doctors as they face the wrath of people on duty,” said Dr Neeraj Sharma, RDA president.

Medical Superintendent, GMCH, Dr Ravinder Rattan Paul said they had initiated talks with the striking doctors. “We are talking to them so that they resume their work. Till then, senior doctors will deal with the swine flu cases. Adequate security will be provided to them.”