Jalandhar Civil Hospital doctors halt OPD services over misbehaviour by patient's kin

Days after three deaths at the Civil Hospital, Jalandhar, due to a fault in the oxygen supply and the subsequent suspension of three doctors and dismissal of two personnel (a doctor and a plant operator) by the Health Minister, doctors on Saturday suspended OPD work for three hours in protest against the alleged misbehaviour by a patient's kin with an Emergency Medical Officer (EMO) on duty.

While doctors at the Civil Hospital have already been on the edge after the July 27th incident of three deaths and the subsequent inquiry, sources at the Health Department said everyone from the staff to higher-ups has been treading with caution amid widespread distress within the staff.

The suspension of OPD work happened a day after the PCMS Association state members visited the hospital to take feedback from the suspended doctors. The suspended doctors, consultant anaesthetist (who wrote to PCMSA), Dr Rajkumar, SMO Dr Surjit, among other remained present to interact with the PCMSA team.

On the same night, an EMO levelled allegations that attendants of a burn patient had misbehaved with her and also vandalised the property after they were asked to take the patient to another hospital due to the gravity of the injuries.

Doctors alleged the EMO had to lock up herself in a room to save herself. The patient was eventually referred to Amritsar where she is under treatment.

On Saturday, doctors suspended OPD work for three hours demanding better security for the staff. While the police was immediately informed about the incident, an FIR has been lodged.

Doctors shall continue work as usual on Monday after they were pacified by the administration and the authorities.

SMO Dr Varinder Thind said, "The incident happened around 11 pm on Friday night. The woman patient was serious and had received 49 per cent burn injuries. It was not possible for us to treat her here. She had to be taken to another hospital. But her relatives abused and harassed the doctor. I reached the hospital by 2.20 am and we immediately took up the matter to the police. We have put up a demand for extra security at all vulnerable emergency, trauma, maternity wards, etc. Since our demands for security has been addressed and an FIR lodged, we won't be holding any strike on Monday."

Asked if the ongoing inquiry has any bearing on their work, Thind said, "If one's boss has been suspended, it naturally affects you. Doctors are a demoralised. But we are all working with utmost care and doing our best. Things are steadily improving. However, it must be ensured doctors are protected from such elements."