Doctor, nurse shifted over hospital death

ABOHAR: On the assurance of Sub-Divisional Magistrate Poonam Singh, villagers, various unions and relatives of Sukhwinder Kaur, who died allegedly due to the negligence of a doctor and staff of the Civil Hospital here yesterday, agreed to lift dharna from the hospital this evening.

Villagers stage a dharna at the Civil Hospital in Abohar on Thursday. Tribune Photo

Our Correspondent

Abohar, August 17

On the assurance of Sub-Divisional Magistrate Poonam Singh, villagers, various unions and relatives of Sukhwinder Kaur, who died allegedly due to the negligence of a doctor and staff of the Civil Hospital here yesterday, agreed to lift dharna from the hospital this evening.

The SDM, who was accompanied by Civil Surgeon Dr Surinder Kumar, SP Amarjit Singh Matwani and other officials, announced that Dr Suresh Kumar and nurse Kalpana Natt were shifted to the Community Health Centre at Seetogunno village and an inquiry was ordered into the death of the woman. Whosoever was found guilty would face action, she said.

The SDM assured financial assistance to the surviving daughters of deceased Sukhwinder Kaur by the District Red Cross Society and from the Chief Minister Relief Fund and assured that government doctors or nurses if found working in private hospitals would be sacked.

Following this, villagers, various unions and relatives of Sukhwinder Kaur agreed to lift dharna. The deceased will be cremated on Friday, they said.

Meanwhile, doctors and paramedical staff in the Abohar Civil Hospital and community health centres in Khuikhera and Seetogunno, besides other hospitals across the district, today went on a strike and staged a parallel dharna. This paralysed health services.

President of the local unit of the Indian Medical Association Dr Shyam Dhuria and other members met Senior Medical Officer Dr Amita Chaudhary to express concern over the incidents of misbehavior with PCMS doctors and other staff in the hospital. IMA members also met kin of deceased woman and expressed condolences.

Sukhwinder Kaur gave birth to a child on August 14. Her condition deteriorated on Tuesday evening and she died yesterday. The enraged family members, who were demanding action against the “erring” doctor and staff members, were today joined by the CPM, PSPCL Technical Services Union and Dehati Mazdoor Sabha.

Fazilka medical officers observe strike

Fazilka: Medical officers and paramedical staff of the District Hospital observed a strike on Thursday to express solidarity with striking doctors of Abohar. They also staged a protest outside the office of the Senior Medical Officer. Meanwhile, doctors and staff of the Jalalabad Civil Hospital also observed a strike. oc