Bihar Doctors on Statewide Strike After Attack on Surgeon
Representational Image. Image Courtesy: PTI
Patna: Thousands of doctors at government and private hospitals, medical colleges and primary health centres and clinics in Bihar went on a strike on Tuesday to protest the violent attack on a surgeon in the Purnea district.
The call for a statewide strike, except at emergency wards, was given by the Bihar unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to protest the attack on Dr Rajesh Paswan at his private clinic on Friday.
In a statement issued on Monday, the state IMA unit strongly condemned the “murderous attack” on Dr Paswan and demanded strict action against the attackers under the Bihar Medical Services Institution and Person Protection Act, 2011.
Paswan was thrashed by the close relatives of a woman who died during treatment at his private clinic. Paswan was rushed to AIIMS Patna on Saturday for treatment. According to IMA officials, he has been discharged and is doing well.
IMA senior vice-president Sunil Kumar said that the strike has severely affected health services and is “aimed at warning the state government to provide safety and protection to doctors”.
“Doctors are the soft target of angry attendants of patients at government and private hospitals. Besides, doctors are targeted by criminals regularly,” Kumar told NewsClick.
The IMA also demanded that the state government provide protection to doctors and curb “frequent attacks on doctors at hospitals and private clinics”.
The Association would hold a meeting in Patna on Wednesday to decide about the future course of action.
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