SUBHASH MISHRA
Ranchi, Sept 18: OPD services in Sahibganj district hospitals have come to a complete halt as government doctors began an indefinite boycott today, over disciplinary action against some medicos.
The boycott, which runs from 9 am to 3 pm, has severely affected health services across all government facilities, including Sahibganj Sadar Hospital, Referral Hospital Berhait, Sub Divisional Hospital Rajmahal, and seven Community Health Centres (CHCs): Patana, Barharwa, Taljhari, Manro, Mirja Chowki, Borio, and Badhwa.
The health centres appear deserted due to the boycott, though emergency services remain operational.
Reasons for the boycott and demands
The indefinite boycott, initiated by the Jharkhand Health Service Association (JHSA) and the Indian Medical Association (IMA), seeks the withdrawal of an FIR against doctors and the lifting of the salary payment ban affecting civil surgeons, doctors, and health staff.
The district administration lòdged the FIR and suspended salary payments following the death of a primitive tribal girl on September 9. In response, government doctors ceased OPD services at their health centres, which began at 9 am as scheduled.
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Dr. Mohan Paswan, a state representative of the JHSA overseeing the boycott, stated that the strike will persist until the administration withdraws its punitive measures.
He criticized the Sahibganj district administration for failing to address the crisis despite protests on September 16 and 17. Dr. Paswan accused the administration of neglecting public health needs.
JHSA demands transfer of DC
The JHSA has called for the transfer of the Sahibganj Deputy Commissioner (DC), holding him responsible for the incident. They also demand the removal of the Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC) from his role as the hospital’s nodal officer.
JHSA Secretary Dr. Thakur Mritunjay Kumar Singh pointed out that the cause of the girl’s death remains unclear, and criticized the DDC for not performing a post-mortem.
“Since the girl was a Pahadia (primitive) tribal, post-mortem of the body must have been done, but the DDC, despite being a nodal officer, did not act. So, he should be discharged from the hospital responsibility,” said Dr Thakur.
Dr. Singh stated that the indefinite OPD boycott will continue until the FIR is withdrawn and the district administration is held accountable for the resulting patient inconvenience.
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