SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, May 9: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) national body, in an unprecedented move, urged the Jharkhand Governor to provide adequate security to Dhanbad doctors. This demand arose for medical personnel to perform services in a risk-free environment.
This is the first time that the IMA national body has written a letter to the Governor of Jharkhand expressing concerns over the attacks on doctors.
IMA national president Dr Sahajanand Prasad Singh and secretary general Dr Jayesh Lele have shot off a letter to the Jharkhand Governor and Chief minister mentioning that the situation in Jharkhand is serious following the threat and extortion demands from the doctors.
Dr Samir Kumar, a renowned surgeon of Dhanbad had to close his nursing home and leave town (along with his wife, who is also a busy practitioner), due to life threats from the local mafia who were trying to extort Rs. 1 crore and more.
In another incident, Dr Sushil Kumar, the secretary of IMA Dhanbad was attacked by three persons who tried to thrash him and broke the windscreen of his car while he was coming with his wife in his car.
Both matters have been brought to the notice of Dhanbad’s senior superintendent of police with FIR and with much evidence, but no action has been taken on their part yet.
“The violence against doctors in Jharkhand is emerging as an epidemic in itself. There need to be urgent corrective actions at various levels to stop this heinous crime. Now, many doctors are even planning to leave Jharkhand out of fear and for the safety of their families’ lives. IMA is deeply hurt and aggrieved over the incidents and requests your good self to look into the matter and ensure the culprits should be brought under the law with non-bailable sections,” said the president and secretary general in their joint letter.
Dr Sahajanand Prasad Singh and Dr Jayesh Lele have also requested the governor and chief minister that given the gravity of the situation, provide adequate security to the doctors and sort out the issue at the earliest so that patients do not suffer and medical professionals can provide medical services in a fearless environment.
The IMA national body has also requested the governor and chief minister to provide a meeting time for Dr AK Singh, president and Dr Pradip Kumar Singh, secretary of IMA Jharkhand to explain the situation at the ground level.
