Odisha doctors threaten mass leave over CHC's doctor illegal detention

Kalyansinghpur: Following the assault on an on-duty doctor at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Kalyansinghpur and the subsequent 18-hour illegal detention of a medical officer, along with a murder case filed against him after the death of a patient's relative last month- doctors have strongly condemned the police’s alleged one-sided action. They have also warned of going on mass leave in the Rayagada district starting July 23.   

In a memorandum to the collector, SP, and chief district medical and public health officer of Rayagada, the Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA) threatened to take mass leave if adequate security is not provided to medical professionals by July 23. They demanded the immediate withdrawal of the FIR.

Also read- Odisha CHC doctor attacked by mob, illegally detained for 18 hours

Medical Dialogues had reported that an on-duty doctor at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Singhpur was allegedly abused and physically assaulted by a patient’s attendant over a delay in treatment. The Medical Officer in Charge, who later lodged an FIR against the accused, also faced harassment and has now been booked in a murder case.

Around 12 days after the altercation, the attendant was found dead under suspicious circumstances on a railway track. Following this, his wife accused the medical officer of murder and lodged an FIR under BNS sections 108, 115(2), 126(2), 296, 3(5), and 351(2).

Following this, the medical officer was detained for 18 hours without access to food, phone calls, or any communication with others. Not just this, but he was also forced into a Rs 2 lakh settlement and a job promise for the deceased’s family.

The incident took place on June 1 when a patient suffering from an ear itch visited the Community Health Centre (CHC) in K-singhpur, accompanied by the accused. At the time, the on-duty doctor was busy attending to an accident case in the Minor Operation Theatre and asked them to wait.

However, the accused allegedly began verbally abusing the doctor, recorded him without consent, and physically assaulted him. The entire episode was caught on CCTV. The Medical Officer In Charge (MOIC), Dr. Sumiran Raut, was informed and alerted the Odisha Police.

Based on the complaint, the police registered an FIR against the accused. That night, the accused reportedly returned with a group of drunk villagers. They entered Dr. Sumiran’s office, filmed him again, and tried to force him to withdraw the case. Dr. Sumiran refused to engage, stating it was a police matter.

On June 13, the accused was found dead on a railway track, 40 km away from K-singhpur, near his in-laws’ home. His sudden death led to heightened tensions in the area. Following his death, an angry mob attacked the CHC, vandalised hospital property, and blamed the doctors for the incident. Fearing for their lives, doctors fled the scene. Dr. Sumiran and his medical team were detained for 18 hours without access to food, phone calls, or any communication with senior health officials. 

Calling the FIR charges 'false and baseless', the Odisha Medical Services Association is now demanding justice for the medical officer who was implicated in an alleged false case. 

Kishore Chandra Mishra, state president of OMSA, told TOI, "We strongly condemn the one-sided action taken by police without a fair investigation. The false charges must be withdrawn immediately. If no concrete steps are taken to ensure our security, all doctors in Rayagada district will be forced to proceed on mass leave from July 23."

"Doctors cannot work under fear and constant threat. We are here to serve, not to be humiliated or attacked. The administration must step in to protect frontline healthcare workers," said Mishra.

Meanwhile, SP (Rayagada) Swathy S Kumar said, "A complaint has been registered against the doctors in Kalyansinghpur police station, and investigation is on. There is video evidence against the doctors, and the CDMO&PHO has been asked to cooperate in the investigation."

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