SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, May 5: Doctors of seven districts including Ranchi, Jamshedpur have jumped in support of Dhanbad medicos in their decision to shut down private nursing homes and clinics from May 9 in protest against assault and extortion demands.
Dr Gaurishankar of the Deoghar chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) called the Dhanbad incident unfortunate and said that Deoghar medicos are extending support to the agitation of Dhanbad doctors and would be with a programme of IMA Jharkhand chapter on this issue.
Private nursing homes and clinics in Dhanbad have served notice to the district administration and health department to shut down their establishment from May 9 in protest against the assault on doctors and extortion demand of Rs 1 crore from a clinic owner.
IMA Dhanbad chapter secretary Dr Sushil Kumar was assaulted by bike-borne goons on April 28 while the owner of Suyash Clinic Dr Samir Kumar has been demanded Rs 1 crore extortion from jailed Aman Singh gang on May 2. Dr Samir has gone underground since then.
Former secretary of the Jamshedpur IMA chapter Dr Mrityunjay Kumar Singh has expressed concern over the Dhanbad incidents and said that it is a matter of shock that doctors have to shut down the health centres in fear of criminals.
“It is an unfortunate trend and we (doctors) should fight such a situation unitedly. Such things happen due to our weakness and lack of inaction from our bodies. Our organization should be made strong to combat it. We support Dhanbad medicos in their agitation,” said Dr Singh.
Dr Ajit Kumar, joint secretary of Ranchi district IMA chapter while expressing concern over the incident said, “We have one point agenda which is ‘security of doctors’ at any cost.”
“Such things (extortion demand) also happened in Ranchi two years ago. The government must ensure the safety and security of doctors in Dhanbad so that medicos could serve without any tension and fear,” said Dr Ajit Kumar.
IMA Ramgarh secretary Dr Swaraj Sinha while extending support to Dhanbad doctors said that it is a concerning issue. Police administration should act for creating a comfortable environment so that medicos could serve patients without any fear.
“Criminals should also consider that ultimately they or their family members would come to doctor for treatment. If they would make doctor target they would land themselves in trouble,” he said.
Dr Randhir Singh of Bokaro IMA said his district supports Dhanbad and would participate actively if IMA Jharkhand launches agitation against it.
“It is an unfortunate incident and administration should take stern action against involved criminals so that doctors could serve patients in a congenial environment,” he said.
