SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Feb 25: An assistant professor of Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College Hospital, Hazaribag, Dr Vishal Kumar, who was insulted and roughed up by the deputy development commissioner (DDC) is battling alone for dignity as teachers and doctors of the institution have deserted him.
On Saturday a senior faculty member of Hazaribag medical college said that Dr Vishal Kumar was guilty and now it is his personal issue to fight.
Dr Vishal Kumar, paediatrics department, on February 21 was allegedly abused by DDC Prerna Dikshit in her chamber for delayed coming to the meeting. The bodyguard of DDC even dragged him out by holding his collar.
Notably, teachers and doctors showed some resentment but soon they took back the sheet to express solidarity with the victim’s doctor.
This is nothing new in the medical colleges of Jharkhand. In October 2022 when senior residents of Shahid Nirmal Mahto Medical College Hospital (SNMMCH) went on a pen-down strike for payment of six months pending salary, no doctors and teachers of the college supported them. Though SNMMCH doctors/ teachers have an active association, not a faculty member supported them.
Earlier too in 2011 when MLA Dhulu Mahto assaulted Dr Arun Kumar, no teachers/ doctors of PMCH Dhanbad stood in his support. Similarly, when Health minister Rajendra Prasad Singh 2013 insulted Dr SS Prasad MGMMCH Jamshedpur, no teachers/ doctors of the institution lodged a protest.
However, Jharkhand Indian Medical Association (IMA) coordinator Dr Ajay Kumar Singh ( former IMA national vice-president) of Ranchi came down heavily on teachers/doctors of Hazaribag medical college and said that the incident is not of Dr Vishal albeit it is a common issue of all teachers and doctors. DDC insulted not Dr Vishal albeit to the doctor on duty.
“Association is formed only for fighting for justice collectively. All an individual is capable enough to fight. Dr Vishal has not sought help. It is job linked issue and it is our obligation to stand in his support. If we do not support him then what is the purpose of forming an association,” said Dr Ajay Kumar Singh.
Dr Singh said today Dr Vishal has been insulted and tomorrow such an incident can happen with another teacher/doctor if it is not protested.
A senior officer bearer of JHSA said that doctors must be given due respect as they save lives of people. Any way unsavoury act of DDC can’t be justified.
