Ludhiana Civil Hospital staff suspends RT PCR sample collection for second day

Ludhiana: The RT PCR lab staff at Ludhiana Civil Hospital continued their protest against the alleged assault on a research assistant by members of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) by suspending RT PCR collection for the second consecutive day on Monday. 

The staff had refused to collect samples of patients on Friday and had demanded the hospital to prohibit the NGO members from entering the premises, which was reported by the Medical Dialogues team earlier. They were seeking action against the NGO, Ek Zaria, after a research assistant allegedly got beaten up by the NGO members over an argument regarding chairs.  

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The incident took place when the research assistant was collecting RT-PCR samples along with his colleagues, who were all sitting on chairs owned by the NGO. When the NGO members asked for the chair back, the research assistant asked them to wait for some time. However, the members began abusing him and the tussle turned physical with the hospital staff being attacked by chairs. 

Research Assistant Pallavi said, "We are not feeling safe in the hospital premises. We won’t resume work until the entry of NGOs in the hospital is completely banned. We are also looking for legal action against the NGO." 

Speaking to the Hindustan Times, the attacked research assistant said, "I’m scared to return to work and collect samples. I will not resume work until complete security is provided by the police." 

No FIR has been registered so far in the case, and the police are urging the parties to record their statements and take action. ASI Rajinder Singh, stationed at chowki inside the civil hospital said, "FIR has not been registered yet. We have called both the parties for statement after that only further action will be initiated." 

Meanwhile, the suspension of the RT PCR tests for the second day continued to affect the people who had come to the hospital to give their samples. 

Expressing problems due to the RT PCR suspension, an Assistant sub-inspector said, "We are keeping accused in our custody since the altercation. We have to present the medical documents in the court, but the civil hospital is not conducting RT-PCR test." The policeman added, "We are bearing the expense from our pocket to keep these accused in our custody. We also requested hospital administration to give us in written that RT-PCR is not being conducted but they refused." 

Senior medical officer Amarjit Kaur said, "We will resume the service soon. After the request of police to take samples of accused to be produced in the court. The team agreed to take their samples."

Also Read:8 arrested for creating ruckus at Ludhiana Civil hospital, manhandling staff