SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, May 9: Over 300 private nursing homes and clinic operators of Dhanbad have closed the OPD services on Monday, including emergency for 24 hours (6 am on Monday till 6 am on Tuesday). They have taken this step to ensure security from the district administration.
Dhanbad IMA chapter had served notice of indefinite shut down of all private hospitals and health clinics from today (May 9) in protest against Rs 1 crore extortion demand from Suyash Clinic owner Dr Samir Kumar and attack on Dr Sushil Kumar. But in the late evening of Sunday, the IMA cancelled the indefinite shutdown and decided to suspend only OPD service for 24 hours.
IMA claimed that OPD services are closed in all 300 small and big private health establishments including 170 registered nursing homes with bio-medical waste management in Dhanbad. OPD suspension was reported from Kumardhubi, Jharia, Sindri and Katras regions too.
However, OPD services at all government hospitals in the district including Shahid Nirmal Mahto Medical College Hospital are open.
“In response to our strike notice, the police administration has no doubt initiated some steps for restoring confidence among the doctors. But IMA feels safety measures are not up to mark as they should have been so that doctors can provide service to the patient in a fearless environment,” said Dr Major Chandan, executive president of the IMA Dhanbad chapter IMA.
“Open demand of extortion and frequent attacks on doctors by criminals have created a sense of insecurity among medicos of the district as no criminal has been booked in this connection so far. So after a 24 hours OPD suspension strike, IMA would again review the situation after 15 days and take the decision as per the situation,” said Dr Major Chandan.
