SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Sept 15: The Jharkhand Health Service Association (JHSA), representing government doctors, is in uproar after a culpable homicide FIR was lodged by the Sahibganj district administration against a doctor from Sahibganj Sadar Hospital following the death of a young girl.
The association is also protesting against controversial orders issued by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Sahibganj, which target the doctors and paramedical staff of the district.
According to the new order, the salaries of Sahibganj doctors and paramedical staff will now require the signature of the Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC). The DDC has also been given the authority to create the doctors’ duty rosters and sanction leaves. The JHSA has condemned these orders as irrational and announced plans to launch an agitation in response.
JHSA leaders voice strong opposition
JHSA President Dr. P.P. Sah and General Secretary Dr. Thakur Mritunjay Kumar Singh, while protesting the DC’s order, argued that the Civil Surgeon (CS) is the designated controlling officer for doctors and health staff, and another officer, such as the DDC, should not hold authority over them.
“The DC’s order is unjust and a violation of the fundamental rights of doctors, the Deputy Superintendent, and the Civil Surgeon,” the JHSA leaders stated.
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FIR of culpable homicide stirs controversy
The tragic death of the young girl at Sahibganj Sadar Hospital has been further complicated by DC Hemant Sati’s decision to file an FIR of culpable homicide against the doctor involved.
“The death of the girl was unfortunate, but the DC’s response with an FIR and withholding the Civil Surgeon’s salary is an injustice, which has driven the JHSA on agitation path,” said Dr. Sah and Dr. Singh.
JHSA officials also questioned the basis of the girl’s diagnosis as a malaria victim without a post-mortem examination. They argue that action should also be taken against the DDC, who is the nodal officer of the hospital. Additionally, the hospital is severely understaffed, with only 14 doctors working against 42 sanctioned posts, further complicating the situation.
Accusations of Supreme Court order violation
The JHSA leadership has accused the DC of violating a Supreme Court ruling by forming a probe committee composed of non-expert members to investigate the girl’s death.
According to JHSA officials, “As per the Supreme Court’s order, an FIR against a doctor can only be filed based on the report of medical experts. However, not a single person on the committee constituted by the DC was a medical expert,” the association claimed.
This ongoing conflict between the district administration and medical professionals is expected to escalate as the JHSA plans its next steps in protest.
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