Ramdev’s remarks: Doctors’ four-hour stir on Friday in Bihar

PATNA: Doctors at government as well private hospitals will stop OPD services for patients from 8.30am to 12.30pm on June 18 in protest against the remarks made by yoga guru Ramdev against modern medicines and the incidents of violence against the medical fraternity. The doctors will, however, continue to attend to Covid and emergency patients.
The national headquarters of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) had issued a call for this protest which was endorsed by the state branch of the association.
IMA national president-elect Dr Sahajanand Prasad Singh said Ramdev’s remarks misled a large population and pushed the country a decade back in health awareness.
“It was after Ramdev’s insulting comments that many people began avoiding vaccines and even engaged in scuffles with the immunisation teams. Action should be taken against Ramdev under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897,” he said.
Dr Singh urged PM Narendra Modi to speak a few words in his popular interactive programme, ‘Mann ki Baat’, to boost the morale of the country’s doctors who have been uninterruptedly fighting the battle against the pandemic.
Acting president of state IMA Dr Ajay Kumar said Ramdev insulted the doctors and the line of treatment being followed to help people beat Covid infection. He also expressed concern over rising violence against doctors. “At least 25 cases of acts of violence during the two waves of Covid came to the notice of the IMA in Bihar,” Dr Kumar said.
A case against Ramdev was earlier lodged by IMA state secretary Dr Sunil Kumar at a police station here.