SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Nov 2: Senior residents of Shahid Nirmal Mahto Medical College Hospital (SNMMCH) Dhanbad on Wednesday began indefinite boycott of OPD and indoor services in protest against pending payment of salary for nine months.
The agitating senior residents warned that they would even avoid emergency service if their salary payment is not cleared within the period.
Senior residents had last month set deadline of October 31st either clear the salary payment pending or face the stir. When on Tuesday their salary allotment did not come they proceeded on boycott. They had gone on one day token strike too to mount pressure on management but to no avail.
Two days ago senior residents had given letter to additional chief secretary (ACS) health Arun Kumar Singh and SNMMCH superintendent regarding their agitation for salary payment.
“Over all annual important functions including Durga Puja, Diwali all passed in penury in lack of payment. The health department has not taken cognizance of our plight while hospital management only gives assurance. In such condition we have left no option but to go on agitation path for survival,” said the senior residents to media persons.
SNMMCH superintendent Dr AK Barnbal said that health department has been duly informed and allotment is likely to arrive soon. “Since senior doctors are discharging responsibility there is no impact of senior residents boycott call on services to patients in OPD and indoor wards,” said Dr Barnbal, superintendent of SNMMCH.
Senior residents are considered backbone of SNMMCH as hospital is reeling under acute shortage of doctors. So, strike has badly impacted services in wards due to strike of senior residents.
