IMA Palamu raises concern over criminal cases against doctors
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Daltonganj, November 1: The Indian Medical Association’s Palamu chapter has expressed concern over criminal cases registered against four…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, November 1: The Indian Medical Association’s Palamu chapter has expressed concern over criminal cases registered against four doctors and several medical staff in two separate incidents in Daltonganj within 72 hours this week.
The cases reportedly involve alleged violations of the Clinical Establishments Act. Those named include four doctors—two of them women, Dr Smriti Singh Kushwaha and Dr Priya Sinha—as well as three medical attendants, an operation theatre technician and a couple of unidentified people.
Doctors Fear Referring Serious Cases May Become the Easier Option
IMA Palamu senior member Dr R. P. Sinha, a retired government doctor who had served as Palamu civil surgeon and regional deputy director of health, said the cases could make doctors in private hospitals and nursing homes hesitant to admit seriously ill patients.
“Things have come to such a pas now when doctors in private nursing home or hospital will refuse to admit or undertake any serious or critical patient fearing such a fate in the event of mishap with the patient,” he said.
“The easiest course is left now to refer such cases to higher centre in Ranchi or elsewhere,” Dr Sinha added.
He said referrals had increased and that doctors were concerned about their professional skills, abilities and reputations being questioned.
“Trust deficit between patient and doctor has widened. It’s a sad thing for all. Let all stakeholders in health care should seriously ponder over it,” he said.
IMA Disputes Claims Against Dr Priya Sinha
IMA Palamu secretary Dr Gaurav Vishal said social media was portraying the medical fraternity in a “wrong and malicious” manner.
He said a case of intrauterine foetal death, also known as stillbirth, had been misconstrued as “navjat mirtyu” and attributed to Dr Priya Sinha’s nursing home. He described the claim as false and baseless.
Dr Vishal claimed that Dr Sinha had helped save a patient who had experienced a threatened abortion. He said the IMA stood in solidarity with the doctors facing cases.
Asked whether the association considered the administration’s actions excessive or hasty, Dr Vishal said the IMA would welcome a less harsh and more understanding approach, while assuring that it would cooperate with the administration.
The association also advised doctors to exercise discretion and caution in providing healthcare to avoid putting their professional reputation at risk.
Health Officials Stress Compliance With Clinical Establishments Act
IMA Palamu ex-officio president Dr Anil Kumar Sriwastwa, who is also the civil surgeon and chief medical officer, said he had issued a public notice asking all healthcare stakeholders to follow the rules and provisions of the Clinical Establishments Act.
He said disregard or violation of the Act could invite action. Palamu has 351 registered private nursing homes, clinics, pathology centres and diagnostic centres, he added.
Sadar SDPO Rajesh Yadav said Superintendent of Police Kapil Chaudhary had instructed the investigating officers in both cases—Anil Kumar Yadav in the Uttam Hospital case and Subodh Kumar in the Dr Priya Sinha case—to conduct transparent and thorough investigations.
Circle Officer Amarjeet Walhotra, who sealed Uttam Hospital, said the sealing was carried out on the Deputy Commissioner’s orders.
