SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Aug 29: Outpatient services at Shahid Nirmal Mahto Medical College Hospital (SNMMCH) came to a standstill on Friday morning as interns and Junior Resident Doctors (JRDs) began an indefinite strike.
The agitation, which started Thursday evening, was triggered by the assault of doctors and health staff by a mob of patient attendants in the emergency ward.
The protesting doctors have vowed not to resume duty until a permanent security arrangement is ensured at the hospital.
The striking medicos, however, clarified that emergency services have been exempted from the strike.
Also Read- PM Modi in Japan: Capital in India “multiplies,” highlights $40 billion Japanese investment
Assault Following Patient’s Death
The unrest began around 6:45 pm on Thursday after the death of a patient, Md Abdul (39), who had been referred to Ranchi by the doctors on duty. Due to the delay in the arrival of an ambulance, the critically ill patient succumbed in the emergency ward.
Enraged attendants, present in large numbers, allegedly assaulted interns, JRDs, doctors, and staff. One doctor, identified as Dr. J. Kumar, sustained injuries in the attack.
Shockingly, police personnel deployed in the emergency ward fled the scene upon seeing the violent mob. By the time Saraidhela police arrived, the attendants had dispersed.
Hospital Services and Administration’s Response
SNMMCH Superintendent Dr. D.K. Gindauria confirmed that only OPD services were affected by the strike, while indoor, emergency, and other critical services remained operational.
He supported the doctors’ demand, stressing that security was essential for them to provide medical services. “The Deputy Commissioner has called a meeting. Let us see what happens,” Dr. Gindauria said.
Dhanbad DC Aditya Ranjan, upon learning of the incident, dispatched two senior administrative officers to the hospital and ordered heavy police deployment to restore confidence and security.
Also Read- Low-pressure to trigger heavy rain in Jharkhand
Support From Doctors’ Associations
The agitation at SNMMCH has drawn solidarity from various doctors’ bodies across Jharkhand.
Jharkhand Junior Doctors Network (JDN) state general secretary Dr. Raghvendra Kumar, Junior Doctors Association (JDA) RIMS Ranchi president Dr. Ankit Kumar, and MGMMCH Jamshedpur JDA president Dr. Ganesh Kumar have all extended their support.
They assured that their associations would provide every possible backing to ensure that security demands are fulfilled.
