PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, March 1: Over 700 doctors of various government and private hospitals in Jamshedpur today boycotted work demanding implementation of the Medical Protection Act in the state.
Doctors of all city-based hospitals stayed away from work. However, the emergency services in all hospitals remained operational.
Government doctors assembled at the MGM Medical College and Hospital in Sakchi where they staged a protest demanding immediate implementation of the Medical Protection Act.
The strike led to the woes of patients as many were deprived of treatment for their various ailments
A senior doctor participating in the strike said that of late many such cases have come to the fore, where the family members of the patient manhandled and assaulted doctors.
According to him, due to the non-implementation of the act, many doctors are afraid to treat patients.
Sometimes the condition of the patient is very serious. Even after this, the doctors try to save the patient, but if they are unable to save the patient, the relatives create a ruckus and vandalism.
Notably, the Medical Protection Act has been implemented in several states.
In those states, the referral rate is also low because doctors treat patients without referring them.
The referral rate is higher in Jharkhand. With the implementation of the act, doctors in Jharkhand will also be able to treat patients properly, pointed out an agitating doctor. This work boycott is for one day only.
The agitating medicos said if the government does not fulfil their demands, then they will go on an indefinite strike.
