Agartala medical college resident doctors suspend strike after Govt assures action

Agartala: Following assurances from senior administrative and police officials, resident doctors at Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and GB Pant Hospital on Monday temporarily suspended their work stoppage over the circulation of videos and other online content allegedly tarnishing the image of resident doctors and the hospital. 

A protesting resident doctor said representatives of the Resident Doctors’ Association, Student Council, interns and senior residents met with the Additional Secretary and West Tripura’s Additional SP. During the meeting, the authorities assured them that the matter was being pursued seriously and that the person allegedly involved in the criminal offence had been detained, reports Daily.

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The authorities also assured the doctors that videos and other published content would be removed and that FIRs would be registered against those who continued to circulate such material. Action was also promised against individuals allegedly involved in bullying, defamation and unauthorised activities inside the hospital.

Following the assurances, the doctors temporarily called off the work stoppage after holding a symbolic march. However, they warned that the protest could resume if the administration, police or government failed to provide adequate cooperation or implement the assurances given to them. 

The resident doctors have also raised concerns over unauthorised photography and videography inside hospital premises, particularly because such activities could compromise patients’ privacy.

The doctors demanded strict action against unauthorised recording and sought public display of the rules and penalties governing photography and videography inside hospital premises.

Speaking to North East Today, Additional SP of West Tripura district Dhruva Nath said the Cyber Cell was closely monitoring social media platforms over the circulation of allegedly fake videos and had initiated steps to have such content removed. The official said information regarding those allegedly involved had been passed to the police station and that the investigation was continuing.

NHM Mission Director Saju Vaheed A said photography and videography are generally prohibited inside emergency and hospital premises, particularly to protect patients’ privacy.

He said the government would take strict action against misleading videos created and circulated online with the intention of tarnishing the hospital’s image.

Vaheed also said a complete ban on mobile phones inside hospitals was being discussed at the government level, although implementing such a blanket restriction may not be practical. He stressed that patient safety would remain the priority and that misleading content intended to tarnish the hospital’s image would not be tolerated.

Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Monday said the matter concerning the protesting resident doctors has already been conveyed to the concerned authorities and that necessary action would be taken strictly in accordance with the law. Speaking on the issue, Saha said, “I have already conveyed the matter to the relevant parties. I have received instructions, and the process must be carried out in accordance with the law. It is not as if I would simply go around arresting just anyone,” reports North East Today.

The Chief Minister said the process would take its course and termed the manner of the response inappropriate. He added that he was personally looking into the matter and would ask the protesting doctors to call off their strike if they had not already withdrawn it.

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