Doctors at Rajindra Hospital protest; demand functional washrooms

Tribune News Service
Patiala, August 13

Doctors of Government Rajindra Hospital held a protest outside the office of the Public Works Department (PWD) of the hospital, here on Friday.

Flash point of the protest is said to be the alleged threat and misbehaviour with medicos by a Junior Engineer (JE) of the PWD wing for complaining about non-functional washrooms at doctors’ hostel.

The doctors claimed that the misdemeanours of the JE were recorded on camera. However, the JE claimed that the incident took place in the heat of the moment.

The doctors said that they had gone to the JE to complain after a portion of the roof of a toilet which fell off, on Friday morning.

However, the situation turned ugly when the JE, allegedly, said that he would beat doctors with sticks.

Senior officials, including XEN, of the PWD wing reached and tried to pacify the situation.

However, doctors alleged that the JE threatened that he wouldn’t let the doctors complete their post-graduation.

Agitated doctors locked the office of the PWD wing; one doctor got agitated and removed his clothes to mark his protest.

Meanwhile, Surjeet Singh, Junior Engineer, said, “The incident happened in the heat of the moment. We have already sorted out the issue.”

He admitted that washrooms were in poor shape, therefore, they would soon start the repair work.

Nitin Chhabra, president, Resident Doctors Association, said, “When we ask for basic amenities like washrooms, they threaten us.”

Doctors alleged that the entire hospital and Government Medical College was being renovated but their toilets and washrooms were lying non-functional. They demanded a vigilance probe into the funds of renovation.

Dr HS Rekhi, Medical Superintendent, said, “It was a minor issue and it has been already solved. The washrooms will be repaired – soon.”