SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, April 2: The joint boycott call of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Jharkhand Health Services Association (JHSA) in protest against the death of Rajasthan gynaecologist Dr Archana Sharma evoked a massive impact at three medical colleges of the state. But it failed to impact Shahid Nirmal Mahto Medical College Hospital (SNMMCH) Dhanbad.
Medinirai Medical College Hospital (MMCH) superintendent Dr Dilip Kumar Singh said that the hospital ran smoothly but due to the boycott call, the OPD did not function. “Doctors did not attend to patients,” said the superintendent.
A similar situation was reported at the hospital of Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College, Hazaribagh and Phulo Jhanu Medical College Hospital, Dumka. Doctors were present in the OPD but did not attend to patients. However, patients’ presence was thin in comparison to any other day due to prior information about doctors’ strike among people.
Sadar hospital of Palamu, Hazaribagh and Dumka function under Medinirai Medical College, Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College and Phulo Jhanu Medical College respectively.
However, at SNMMCH Dhanbad, the impact of the strike was nowhere in sight. A massive crowd of patients was seen in a queue in the early morning for registration. Doctors too reached the OPD timely and duly attended to the patients. The OPDs of medicine, gynaecology and other departments were full of patients.
However, SNMMCH Teachers Association and Indian Medical Association Dhanbad district chapter claimed 100% success of the protest.
President of the association Prof (Dr) DP Bhushan said that all the doctors observed pen down agitation in protest against the death of gynaecologist Dr Archana Sharma in Dausa of Rajasthan.
IMA president Dr Major Chandan also claimed a complete boycott at medical college OPD, government health centres and private clinics, and nursing homes across the district.
“Doctors at SNMMCH sat in OPD but they followed the boycott call and did not attend patients. If they did not sit in the chamber, there was an absent mark. Since a prior notice was not given to the management, they observed a pen-down stir in protest of the death of Dr Archana,” said IMA secretary Dr Major Chandan.
