Assault on ESI Senior Medical Officer: PCMSA calls off strike after Minister's assurance

Hoshiarpur: The Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) on Sunday decided to call off their strike to protest against the assault on a senior medical officer at ESI (Employees State Insurance Scheme) Hospital, Hoshiarpur. 

A state-wide strike was declared at all public healthcare centres across the state following the incident that resulted in the hospitalization of Dr Sunil Bhagat, Senior Medical Officer at ESI Hospital, Hoshiarpur, after being assaulted by a patient's attendants.

According to a PTI report, Dr Sunil Bhagat, Senior Medical Officer, ESI (Employees State Insurance Scheme) Hospital, Hoshiarpur was allegedly assaulted by the attendant of a patient on Thursday.

President of PCMSA, Dr Akhil Sarin, said the strike intends to convey resentment and concern within the medical community following the attack, which has resulted in Bhagat being hospitalised in a critical condition.

“In view of adequate steps taken by the government and concrete assurances given to the PCMSA, it has been unanimously decided that the earlier programme regarding strike at all PHIs on 22/04/2024 is being modified to a solidarity march/ gate rally from 8 am to 10 am on 22/04/2024 at all PHIs in the state along with a state-level press conference by the PCMSA in Hoshiarpur at 10 am,” read the PCMSA release, reports HT.

The PCMSA has taken a resolute stance against violence targeting healthcare workers and is urging the government to take immediate action to enhance security measures at all public health centres across the state.

According to a news report in The Tribune, The Health Minister of Punjab has pledged to establish a district-level grievance redressal system. In the event of any such unfortunate incidents in the future, the head of the institution will be accountable for filing institutional complaints and FIRs. The ministry has also guaranteed that public healthcare centres will receive security through both a police outpost and outsourced personnel.