PATNA: Emergency services came to a standstill at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) on Thursday as junior doctors ceased work to protest the ruckus created by the kin of a 20-year-old patient, who was declared brought dead at the hospital around 8am.
Members of the PMCH Junior Doctors' Association (JDA) abstained from work after the brawl and gave the hospital administration a 48-hour ultimatum to improve security. The junior doctors have threatened to go on a strike if their demand was not met.
Sources said the patient, who was probably suffering from dengue, was declared brought dead upon examination at the hospital. "The patient was first taken to surgical emergency (room number 102) from where the doctors referred him to the emergency ward of medicine department (room number 120). The ECG (electrocardiography) flatlined as the patient was brought dead. There was nothing we could do about it," said a junior doctor, who was present in the emergency ward of medicine department where the attendants of the patient allegedly created ruckus.
A junior doctor said at least 30 people accompanying the patient started blaming the doctors for his death and created a ruckus.
"The attendants tried to scuffle with the doctors, who ran for cover. Even though additional guards were rushed to the spot, the patient's attendants kept harassing the hospital staff. The guards somehow controlled the mob for more than half-an-hour before police reached the spot," said a hospital guard.
The junior doctors have accused the hospital administration of turning a blind eye to such incidents which have become a daily affair at the hospital. They said a similar incident had occurred in the emergency department on Wednesday when a grade IV staff and a doctor were thrashed by the attendants of a patient.
PMCH superintendent in-charge Dr Deepak Tandon said safety and security of junior doctors was one of the top priorities of the hospital administration. "The issue was discussed at a review meeting chaired by health minister Mangal Pandey on Wednesday," Dr Tandon added.
Meanwhile, additional doctors have been posted at the PMCH to ensure treatment of patients visiting the hospital from different parts of the state. "I request the junior doctors not to go on strike as it will paralyse health services at the hospital," the superintendent in-charge said.
Deputy superintendent of the hospital Dr R K Jamiar said 50 additional homeguard jawans would be provided to the hospital for the safety and security of doctors.
This time, even health minister Mangal Pandey has come out in favour of the protesting junior doctors. "The patient was brought dead to the hospital. Everyone should understand that doctors are there for treatment and if ECG confirms death, what can they do?" he said.
Members of the PMCH Junior Doctors' Association (JDA) abstained from work after the brawl and gave the hospital administration a 48-hour ultimatum to improve security. The junior doctors have threatened to go on a strike if their demand was not met.
Sources said the patient, who was probably suffering from dengue, was declared brought dead upon examination at the hospital. "The patient was first taken to surgical emergency (room number 102) from where the doctors referred him to the emergency ward of medicine department (room number 120). The ECG (electrocardiography) flatlined as the patient was brought dead. There was nothing we could do about it," said a junior doctor, who was present in the emergency ward of medicine department where the attendants of the patient allegedly created ruckus.
A junior doctor said at least 30 people accompanying the patient started blaming the doctors for his death and created a ruckus.
"The attendants tried to scuffle with the doctors, who ran for cover. Even though additional guards were rushed to the spot, the patient's attendants kept harassing the hospital staff. The guards somehow controlled the mob for more than half-an-hour before police reached the spot," said a hospital guard.
The junior doctors have accused the hospital administration of turning a blind eye to such incidents which have become a daily affair at the hospital. They said a similar incident had occurred in the emergency department on Wednesday when a grade IV staff and a doctor were thrashed by the attendants of a patient.
PMCH superintendent in-charge Dr Deepak Tandon said safety and security of junior doctors was one of the top priorities of the hospital administration. "The issue was discussed at a review meeting chaired by health minister Mangal Pandey on Wednesday," Dr Tandon added.
Meanwhile, additional doctors have been posted at the PMCH to ensure treatment of patients visiting the hospital from different parts of the state. "I request the junior doctors not to go on strike as it will paralyse health services at the hospital," the superintendent in-charge said.
Deputy superintendent of the hospital Dr R K Jamiar said 50 additional homeguard jawans would be provided to the hospital for the safety and security of doctors.
This time, even health minister Mangal Pandey has come out in favour of the protesting junior doctors. "The patient was brought dead to the hospital. Everyone should understand that doctors are there for treatment and if ECG confirms death, what can they do?" he said.
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